Tension is rising in Anambra State following Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s directive that the Monday sit-at-home order will officially end on October 15, 2024. During a visit to Onitsha, the governor threatened to seal any shops or plazas that remain closed in defiance of his order.
Many traders expressed their willingness to comply, provided that adequate security measures are put in place to protect them in the markets. Soludo emphasized the detrimental impact of the sit-at-home on the region’s economy, estimating a loss of approximately N19.6 billion every Monday due to the boycott.
The sit-at-home order was initially introduced by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in August 2021 to pressure the Nigerian government for the release of its detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Although the group later suspended the order in favor of observing it only on court days for Kanu, fear has continued to force residents across the Southeast states of Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, Abia, and Anambra to comply.
Despite IPOB disavowing the sit-at-home order, a faction led by Finland-based Simon Ekpa continues to impose it, threatening violence against violators. This has led to widespread closures of markets, schools, banks, and other businesses every Monday, with violators often facing severe repercussions.
Governors in the region have struggled to lift the sit-at-home order, facing resistance but gradually seeing a return to normalcy in some cities. In light of the persistent closures, Soludo expressed his concerns during a recent visit to Onitsha’s main market, where he observed near-total shutdowns.
He stated, “From now on, every Monday, the main market must be open for business. If you fail to open, your shop will be sealed for one week, and if necessary, for up to one month. When you are ready to open, it must be from Monday through Saturday.”
Support for Soludo’s initiative has emerged from local trade associations. The leadership of the Anambra State Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA) and the Urban Drivers Welfare Association of Anambra State (UDWAAS) have vowed to back the governor’s efforts to end the sit-at-home order.
Chief Humphrey Anuna, President General of ASMATA, and other UDWAAS executives acknowledged the negative effects of the sit-at-home order on economic activities. The leader of the drivers’ association emphasized their critical role in normalizing operations, stating, “We assure residents of the availability of transportation to convey them to their business places every Monday. We know that when commercial vehicles are available, people will start coming out.”
