By Suleiman Anyalewechi
a should they continue to observe the outlawed IPOD- proclaimed sit-at-home order.
The Source reports that the Governor had on Monday January 26, 2026, ordered the closure of the Onitsha Main Market for a week over the failure of traders to heed Government directives banning Monday sit-at-home in the State.
The Anambra State Government had, last Weekend, warned residents, particularly, civil servants not to be observing the Monday sit-at-home order proclaimed by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra IPOB in 2021 to press home its demand for the release of its jailed leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The State Government also threatened to deduct the salaries of civil servants who refuse to heed the directive to disregard the Monday sit-at-home order.
The State Commissioner for Information Law Mefor, while briefing the media on the directives noted that beginning from February 2026, civil servants salaries will be paid taking congizance of attendance every Monday.
Governor Soludo who issued the directive for the closure of the Onitsha Main Market while on an on-the-spot visit on Monday said that the State has been losing more than N8 billion owing to the Monday’s closure of the market.
According to him, the decision to close the Market is an indication that Government will no longer tolerate the lockdown of the economy of the state every Monday.
The State Government in a circular entitled “Abolishment of Monday Sit-at-home” signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Markets Chief Earist Uba, directed market leaders in the state to sensitize traders and other market users on the state Government’s ban on sit-at-home in the State.
The Government warned that it will not hesitate to temporarily close down any Markets where traders are found to be violating the no-sit-at-home directive.
The 12 Markets now required to open for business activities on every Monday are Ochanja Central Market, Bridgehead Market, Ogbaru Main Market, Building Materials Market Ogidi, Agba-Edo Auto Spare Parts Market Nnewi, New Auto and Motorcycle Spare Parts Market Nnewi and Fairly Used Motorcycle Spare Parts Market Nnewi.
Others include New Auto Spare Parts Market Nkpor , Nkpor Main Market ,Old Mercedes Benz Spare Parts Dealers Market Nkpor, Old Motor Spare Parts Market Obosi, and Electrical Dealers International Market, Obosi.
The circular further noted that periodic random inspections will be carried out , warning that any markets discovered to be in breach of the no-sit-at-home directive will be closed down.
Meanwhile, a meeting between Governor Soludo and all the Market leaders in the state has been scheduled for Thursday January 29, 2026 at the International Conference Centre in Awka the state capital.
Those expected to be present at the parley which is at the instance of those pushing for the re-opening of the closed Onitsha Main Market ,are Chairmen and Secretaries, Zonal and Line leaders of the various Markets.
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