By SUNTV Global Channel | February 2, 2026
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has ordered traders at the Onitsha Main Market to vacate their shops within 14 days, as no fewer than 10,000 shops have been marked for demolition, triggering widespread anxiety among traders and business owners.
The directive follows growing controversy over the governor’s decision to shut down the market for one week, beginning Monday, January 26, over traders’ continued observance of the Monday sit-at-home, despite repeated state government orders abolishing the practice.
Governor Soludo issued the ultimatum during an unscheduled visit to the market, where he reportedly observed that a large number of shops remained locked in defiance of the government’s directive to resume full business activities from Monday to Saturday.
Describing the persistent closure of businesses on Mondays as “unacceptable,” the governor warned that his administration would no longer tolerate actions capable of crippling economic activities or undermining public order in the state.
He insisted that traders must either open for business throughout the week or relocate elsewhere, stressing that Anambra’s economy cannot thrive under recurring shutdowns linked to insecurity-related fears.
Although some traders partially complied with the directive by opening their shops on Monday, many were shocked to discover that thousands of shops had been marked with paint, indicating imminent demolition and a 14-day deadline to vacate.
One of the affected traders, Mr. Uzochukwu Joseph Okoye, a clothing merchant at the market, said the ultimatum came as a devastating surprise.
“We opened today and even last Monday, but the market is not filled. Customers are still afraid, and transportation is a major problem,” Okoye told SUNTV Global Channel.
He lamented that the 14-day notice is too short, noting that traders cannot relocate or make alternative arrangements within such a timeframe.
“We came this morning and saw paint marks on our shops, telling us to move in 14 days. That is not realistic. Transportation is poor, banks are not fully open, and some commercial vehicles are not operating on Mondays,” he said.
Okoye also questioned the rationale behind the demolition, explaining that the shops were built by developers who obtained proper approvals from the state government, after which traders purchased them and have consistently paid taxes.
“The same government approved these shops, developers sold them to us, and we pay tax. Now, suddenly, over 10,000 shops are marked as illegal or bad,” he said.
He added that the most painful aspect of the planned demolition is the absence of any alternative arrangement for affected traders.
According to him, demolishing over 10,000 shops could leave an estimated 50,000 families stranded, worsening economic hardship in the state.
“How will these families feed? How will they pay school fees? People are collapsing already. I personally took three people to the hospital this morning because of this issue,” he added.
The trader appealed to Governor Soludo to exercise patience and grant traders at least one year to stabilize their businesses and plan their relocation.
“If it is about Monday business, give us time. Within weeks, the market will fully return to normal. We are tired of staying at home, but we need transportation, banks, and proper security to function,” he said.
He urged the governor to allow traders operate throughout 2026, suggesting that redevelopment plans could begin in 2027, noting that the governor still has several years left in office.
As tension continues to mount at Onitsha Main Market, traders are calling on the state government to reconsider the 14-day ultimatum and adopt a more gradual, humane approach that balances urban renewal with livelihoods.
