Anambra State Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has reiterated his firm stance on abolishing the controversial Monday sit-at-home order in the state, calling it an act of economic sabotage that has stifled commerce and growth across key markets. Soludo, addressing the media in Awka, emphasized that the practice officially ended years ago and urged traders and residents to resume normal activities on Mondays, warning that non-compliance could lead to revocation of shop ownership and other sanctions. The governor also underscored that markets such as Onitsha Main Market fall under state authority, giving the government powers to enforce compliance in pursuit of economic normalcy.

In a dramatic move to back up his directive, Soludo ordered the one-week closure of Onitsha Main Market after traders again failed to open on Monday, despite assurances of improved security and repeated appeals. Security agencies including police and military units were deployed to enforce the shutdown, a measure Soludo says sends a clear message about reclaiming Mondays for business and ending fear-driven compliance with sit-at-home orders. Supporters, including some market leaders and the Igbo socio-cultural group Ohanaeze Ndigbo, have expressed approval of the governor’s decisive action, arguing that prolonged closures harm livelihoods and deter investment in the region.

However, the clampdown has sparked protests and criticism from various quarters. Traders affected by the shutdown staged demonstrations, accusing the government of heavy-handed tactics that ignore ongoing security concerns and the role of non-state actors behind the sit-at-home directive. Some public figures have warned that forcing traders to open without guaranteeing their safety could backfire, potentially exacerbating insecurity rather than resolving it. The debate highlights the deep divisions over how best to restore economic activity while addressing the underlying causes that have kept many communities observing sit-at-home practices.