The Anambra State Government, under the leadership of Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has announced plans to conduct comprehensive market elections and enforce a strict eight-year term limit for market executives.

It also directed that all markets across the state resume full business activities on Mondays, following a policy decision reached at the Anambra State Executive Council retreat.

The decision, which formally put an end to the Monday sit-at-home, was conveyed to traders during a working visit to Onitsha Main Market by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Markets, Chief Evarist Uba, on Tuesday, as part of the state government’s engagement with market stakeholders.

Uba explained that the directive was aimed at restoring economic stability, safeguarding traders’ livelihoods, and sustaining commercial growth across the state.

He warned that any market found flouting the directive would be sealed for two weeks, stressing that the Soludo administration would not tolerate actions capable of undermining economic activities and public order.

He said, “The state government, under the leadership of Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has directed that all markets across the state resume full business activities on Mondays, following a policy decision reached at the Anambra State Executive Council retreat held on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.

“The state government would soon start to conduct elections in the markets within the State, starting from market line executives, adding that line and zonal leaders of any market who have served for more than eight years would not be eligible to recontest.

“Only traders who actively conduct business within the markets would be allowed to contest elective positions; he who wears the shoes knows where it pinches.”

Responding, the President of the Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association, Chief Humphrey Anuna, commended the state government for the visit and appreciated the caretaker committee leadership of Onitsha Main Market for their commitment to maintaining order and stability.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Onitsha Main Market, Chijioke Okpalaugo, assured the state government of the market’s total compliance with the directive.

Okpalaugo pledged that Onitsha Main Market would not be found wanting, emphasising that the Monday sit-at-home would no longer be observed.

He thanked the Soludo administration for its continuous support and the relative stability currently enjoyed in the market.

In furtherance of the government’s engagement with traders, the delegation also visited Agbaedo New Auto Spare Parts Market, Nnewi, where the same message was delivered to both the market and leaders of New Motorcycle Spare Parts Dealers, who were jointly addressed on the same Government decision, urging traders to resume normal business activities every Monday in line with the state government’s directive.

Punch Online had on Monday reported that Soludo, has ordered the closure of the Onitsha Main Market for one week following traders’ failure to comply with the state government’s directive to disregard the Monday sit-at-home order.

The governor issued the directive on Monday during an on-site visit to the market, accompanied by some of his aides and other government officials.

Soludo warned that the closure could be extended if traders fail to comply with the directive, adding that security agencies have sealed the market to enforce the order.

The governor described the development as the latest—and perhaps most drastic—salvo in a protracted struggle over control of economic life in the South-East on Monday. (The PUNCH)

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