The Igbo Community Association, FCT, has urged Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State to listen to the voice of the people and reopen markets closed due to protests.

"The people want their markets back; they belong to them," the association said in a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by the President, Engr. Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe. "The people also want to use the markets to make whatever statements they choose, and as a true son of the soil, you must respect this," it added.

The association noted with concern that the people of Onitsha are already taking to the streets in protest, and the situation is fast escalating. "We are worried that if the markets are not reopened immediately, the protests may lead to a breakdown in security, resulting in injury to innocent citizens and damage to property," the statement warned.

The association emphasized the importance of respecting democratic principles and the rights of citizens to express themselves freely. "As a pan-African leader, you must understand the need for citizens to make protest statements to power," the statement noted.

"We urge Your Excellency to act swiftly to address the concerns of the people and reopen the markets to avoid further escalation," the statement concluded.

"We want harmonious engagement, not brute force," the statement emphasized.