Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has insisted that the closure of the Onitsha Main Market will remain in force, warning traders not to push his administration into taking more drastic actions. Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, Soludo described the continued Monday sit-at-home by traders as deliberate economic sabotage that threatens the state’s stability and growth.

The governor argued that insecurity was not a valid excuse for the market shutdown, noting that traders operated freely throughout the festive period without incidents. According to him, the selective closure of the Main Market while other markets remain open points to a coordinated effort to disrupt economic activities in Onitsha. Soludo stressed that Anambra cannot function as a four-day economy while competing with states that operate full business weeks.

Soludo further warned that the government could revoke shop ownership from defiant traders, take over the market, or even demolish it if the situation persists. He said the focus is not government revenue but the welfare of ordinary traders and the wider economy, adding that Monday is the most important trading day of the week for many families. The governor also announced plans for recertification of shop ownership, insisting that only traders willing to operate legally will retain their shops.

The governor accused unnamed politicians of sponsoring the sit-at-home to score political points, promising to expose them if the disruption continues. He reaffirmed that 2026 would be dedicated to ending sit-at-home activities in the state, stressing that Anambra has made significant progress in tackling insecurity and must now protect its economic future. Soludo concluded by urging traders to reopen their shops or risk losing them permanently.