By Karen James
Traders at the Onitsha Main Market have defied the directive issued by Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, to reopen their shops, continuing a total shutdown of the market. The governor had warned last Monday that any traders failing to resume operations today would face a one-month closure of their businesses.
However, in an act of civil disobedience, the usually bustling Onitsha Main Market remained eerily silent, with shops completely shuttered. The once-busy commercial hub was described as calm and quiet, resembling a “graveyard” as traders chose to ignore the governor’s ultimatum.
Efforts by Pechilly Investigative Reports to contact market executives for their reactions were unsuccessful, as they could not be reached at the time of filing this report.
This standoff between the government and the traders raises questions about the reasons behind their refusal to comply with the governor’s order, which was intended to restore normalcy in the market. More information is expected as the situation develops.
Governor Soludo had previously expressed his administration’s commitment to revamping the state’s economy through improved market regulations, but this defiance signals growing tension between the traders and state authorities.
