Ohanaeze Backs Soludo’s Closure of Onitsha Main Market Over Sit-at-Home

Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, has thrown its weight behind Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, over his decision to shut down the Onitsha Main Market for one week due to persistent observance of the controversial Monday sit-at-home order.

The group described the governor’s assertive action as commendable and long overdue, urging other South-East governors to adopt similar measures to finally eradicate the sit-at-home practice.

The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) also backed Soludo’s decision, stating that the Monday sit-at-home has done more harm than good to the economy of Anambra State and the southeast in general.

OYC President, Igboayaka Igboayaka, urged market leaders in Onitsha, Nnewi, and Awka to collaborate with Governor Soludo in ending the Monday sit-at-home and ensuring that all markets are open on Mondays.

The closure of the market was ordered by Governor Soludo on Monday, January 26, 2026, after traders defied the state government’s directive to resume full commercial activities on Mondays.

The governor warned that if traders failed to reopen the market after one week, it would be sealed for a month.

The Anambra State Government estimated that the sit-at-home order costs the state about N8 billion weekly, as part of an estimated N19.6 billion loss across the South-east.

The government has assured traders of maximum security in the market and urged them to contact security operatives during emergencies.

Traders at the Onitsha Main Market protested the closure, chanting slogans such as “Soludo, we no go gree o” and “Say no to Monday,” in apparent rejection of the government’s stance against the recurring sit-at-home observed across the South-East.