Tension dey high for Anambra State as Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s order to stop sit-at-home on Mondays no dey work. During his visit to Onitsha Main Market last week Monday, Soludo threaten to seal any shop or plaza wey close on Mondays in the name of sit-at-home. But despite dis threat, commercial and economic activities still dey paralyzed across major markets in Onitsha, Nnewi, Obosi, and Ekwulobia.
On Monday, observers see say turnout of traders very low and activities scanty. Most shops in major markets like Onitsha Main Market, Ochanja Market, Nkpor motor parts market, Electrical Market, and Mgbuka Market remain locked. Motor parks, banks, petrol filling stations, schools, offices, and law courts also remain shut. Major roads too dey empty and quiet, unlike their usual busy state.
Personnel from the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) dey patrol some markets and metropolis, conducting “anti-sit-at-home operations.” They encourage people to come out, but many traders no open their shops due to fear of attack. Some traders wey come to market just dey hang around, waiting to see how things go.
A textile trader at the Main Market, Udoka, talk say, “Some of us come around to observe the situation. The presence of the NSCDC officers dey encourage us, if dem can continue, it go be good development. But most people dey afraid to open their shops so as not to be attacked.”
Soludo lament say the continuous boycott of activities on Mondays in the Southeast dey cost the region an estimated N19.6 billion every Monday. He warn say any trader or business wey refuse to open on Mondays go face severe penalties, including the sealing of shops for up to one month.
However, as of now, the governor no visit the market again, despite his promise to come for inspection during his last visit. The sit-at-home order, which the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) introduce in August 2021 to pressure the Federal Government to release their leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, still dey observed by many due to fear of being attacked by hoodlums.
