The Anambra State House of Assembly has thrown its full support behind Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s decision to shut down the Onitsha Main Market for one week and end the long-running Monday sit-at-home order in the state. Lawmakers said the action was necessary to stop massive economic losses estimated at N19.6 billion every Monday.
The lawmakers made their position known during plenary on Tuesday in Awka, where they resolved that residents of the state should immediately abandon the sit-at-home practice. They described the exercise as harmful to the economy and social life of the people.
The resolution followed a motion moved by the Minority Leader of the House, Mr. Johnbosco Akaegbobi, who represents Nnewi South 1 Constituency. He called on all residents of Anambra State to discontinue the Monday sit-at-home without delay.
Akaegbobi said the sit-at-home order has disrupted economic and social activities across Anambra State for several years. According to him, the state alone loses about N19.6 billion every Monday due to the shutdown of businesses, markets, schools and transport services.
He explained that the sit-at-home was first introduced in 2021 by members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The action was meant to protest the arrest and continued detention of the group’s leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
However, Akaegbobi noted that what began as a protest later became a regular weekly practice enforced through fear and threats. He said many residents now stay indoors on Mondays not because they support the cause, but because they fear attacks, harassment or destruction of property.
The lawmaker added that the economic impact of the sit-at-home goes beyond Anambra State. He said the entire South-East region loses an estimated N88.08 billion every Monday due to the shutdown of businesses and public activities.
According to him, the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector has suffered the most, accounting for about 60 per cent of the total financial losses. He said many small business owners struggle to survive because they are forced to close their shops one day every week.
Akaegbobi further revealed that micro businesses lose an estimated N4.6 trillion every year due to repeated closures linked to the sit-at-home. He added that transport operators also suffer huge losses, estimated at between N10 billion and N13 billion daily whenever activities are shut down.
The lawmakers said the continued enforcement of the sit-at-home has reduced productivity across different sectors. They noted that the practice has led to a 20 per cent drop in effective workdays annually and a 35 per cent decline in productivity in the public and labour sectors.
Seconding the motion, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Mr. Chuma Okoye, said the governor’s action was timely and in the best interest of the people. He stressed that the decision should not be seen as harsh or oppressive.
Okoye said the sit-at-home has slowly changed the attitude of residents towards Mondays. According to him, many people now see Monday as an extension of the weekend, which has weakened the economic value of the day as the first working day of the week.
He expressed concern that religious leaders, schools, market leaders, civil servants and public servants have adjusted their schedules around the sit-at-home, further worsening the situation.
Another lawmaker, Mr. Golden Ilo, who represents Ihiala 2 Constituency, urged traders and business owners to support the state government’s directive. He said the action was meant to protect businesses and revive economic activities across the state.
Ilo called on traders to return to their shops and resume full business activities, adding that the continued closure of markets only deepens poverty and hardship among residents.
The debate followed Governor Soludo’s decision on Monday, January 26, to shut down the Onitsha Main Market for one week. The governor took the action after traders reportedly failed to comply with the state government’s directive to open their shops on Mondays.
Onitsha Main Market is one of the largest markets in West Africa and serves as a major commercial hub for traders from different parts of Nigeria and beyond. The closure of the market, even for a day, has serious economic effects on the state and the region.
Governor Soludo has repeatedly warned that his administration would no longer tolerate the sit-at-home practice, describing it as illegal and damaging to the state’s economy. He has also assured residents of improved security to protect lives and property.
After extensive deliberations, the House resolved that the Monday sit-at-home should stop immediately across Anambra State. The lawmakers pledged their full support for the governor’s efforts to restore normal economic activities.
Speaker of the House, Mr. Somtochukwu Udeze, urged market leaders, religious leaders, schools, transport operators, civil servants and SMEs to resume full activities without fear.
He said it was time for Anambra State to move forward economically and socially, stressing that peace and development cannot thrive in an atmosphere of fear and forced shutdowns.