Chukwuma Soludo, the governor of Anambra State, has said that some politicians are behind the fresh Monday sit-at-home protests that took place in some areas of the South East.
He described the shutdown as an intentional attempt to disrupt economic activity in the state, notably pointing to Onitsha Main Market and Nnewi as the locations most affected.
Governor Soludo said that the weekly shutdown of these important markets “is not a coincidence but a coordinated effort by individuals he called enemies of the state and the South East region” during a press conference held at the Light House in Awka.
He highlighted that the development “will not be tolerated by his administration” and described it as “economic sabotage.”
The governor cautioned merchants that the Onitsha Main Market’s one-week suspension, which was imposed last Monday, would stay in place and might be prolonged by an extra two weeks if the market doesn’t reopen on a Monday after the present sanction ends.
Additionally, he rejected the traders’ threats to sue the state government for closing the market.
“Onitsha Main Market belongs to the Anambra State Government and the government has the legal authority to take decisions over its use in the interest of public safety and order,” Soludo explained, outlining the government’s jurisdiction over the issue.
He said that the government may “revoke shop ownership rights, pay compensation, and take over the market for overriding public interest” if needed.
The governor questioned the timing of the sit-at-home instructions, pointing out that there were no significant security issues throughout the Christmas and New Year’s period and the market was open for business.
Before the New Year’s celebrations, he noted, “business activities were booming in the market every Monday and even on Sundays.”