Onitsha Main Market Closure: Anambra State Governor Attracts Praise and Criticism

Mixed reactions have been trailing the decision by Anambra State Governor, Professor CHUKWUMA SOLUDO, to shut down the Onitsha Main Market for one week, after the traders ignored his directive to stop observing the Monday sit-at-home. Governor SOLUDO made the announcement during an unscheduled visit to the Onitsha Main Market yesterday, where he found the shops closed, despite his order banning the Monday sit-at-home protest. The Monday sit-at-home was imposed by the Indigenous People of Biafra, and the violent enforcement by armed wing of the group has disrupted economic and social activities in the South-East. A public commentator from Anambra State, UZU OKAGBUE, defended the decision of Governor SOLUDO on the closure of the Onitsha Main Market, saying that “by keeping the market closed until next Monday, the Governor had drawn a firm line between legitimate civic expression and outright economic sabotage.” OKAGBUE said the Governor’s action “is not an emotional response” but “a calculated governance decision rooted in logic, history, and an understanding of how economies actually function.” In a separate reaction, OKOYE CHUKA PETER, who is a human rights activist in the South-East, faulted the action of Governor CHUKWUMA SOLUDO against the Onitsha Main Market traders. OKOYE, who is Executive Director of the Centre for Human Rights, Advocacy and Wholesome Society, said Governor SOLUDO should have invited the traders for discussion and offered to increase security surveillance for the market. Speaking further on a monitored radio programme, OKOYE CHUKA PETER said as an economist, Governor SOLUDO should understand the implications of shutting down the Onitsha Main Market for one week, which could be far worse than the impact of the Monday sit-at-home.