The Anambra State Government has announced plans to take over the management of Onitsha Main Market following continued compliance with Monday sit-at-home protests by traders.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo disclosed this after a recent visit to the market, where he ordered a one-week shutdown due to traders’ refusal to operate fully on Mondays. The decision triggered tension and protests within the market, although the governor maintained that the closure would last for the announced period.
On Thursday, Soludo held a closed-door meeting with leaders of the market at the Light House in Awka. A source who attended the meeting told THISDAY that traders were presented with two options by the governor.
According to the source, the traders rejected an option that involved demolition and full remodelling of the market and agreed to resume business on Mondays.
The source said: “The governor gave them two options. The first included; they will resume full trading activities on Mondays, mark attendance as required, while he regenerate and reorganise the market, demolish all illegal structures and plazas and create proper spaces and car parks. The second includes; To continue with Sit-at-Home on Mondays and risk the demolition of the market and use two-years for its reconstruction to restore it to its original master plan.
“The governor told them that restoring parking facilities in Main Market is an emergency, and any illegal structure erected at the park would be demolished soonest.”
It was learnt that the traders opted for the first proposal. This decision allows the government to remove illegal structures, expand internal roads, and restore parking spaces within the market.
During the meeting, Soludo informed the traders that a committee would be constituted to recertify all shop occupants. He said the exercise would begin soon, as the government needs accurate records of those operating in the market.
The governor also declined a request to reopen the market on Saturday. He insisted that trading activities would resume only on Monday, when compliance would be reviewed again.
“The traders agreed to the terms, and will on Monday reopen the market to recommence business,” the source said.
Meanwhile, the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has announced a Biafra-wide solidarity lockdown scheduled for Monday. The group said the action is in support of Onitsha traders and to demand the immediate release of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
In a statement issued by its publicity secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB described the planned shutdown as a peaceful response to the one-week closure of the market by the Anambra State Government.
The statement said: “We remind Governor Soludo and his Abuja sponsors that the Monday sit-at-home originated as a peaceful protest demanding the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the very cause that has galvanized global attention to Biafra’s quest for self-determination.
“Attempts to twist this into ‘economic sabotage’ or ‘criminality’ will fail. The markets thrived during Christmas Mondays without incident, proving that voluntary compliance stems from genuine solidarity, not fear. Soludo’s escalation only exposes his desperation to provoke confrontation at a time when Biafra’s international profile is rising and diplomatic efforts are gaining traction.
“On Monday, February 2, 2026, we call on all Biafrans traders, transporters, banks, schools, civil servants, and every sector across Anambra, Abia, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi, and beyond to observe this solidarity strike peacefully.
“Remain indoors, refrain from all commercial and public activities, and demonstrate to the world our disciplined resolve. This is not about disruption for its own sake; it is about standing with Onitsha traders who are being punished for demanding justice, and reaffirming that no governor can coerce free citizens into abandoning their rights or their solidarity.”
