Soludo Threatens ₦20m Fine for Traders Observing Monday Sit-at-Home in Anambra

 

AWKA— Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo has warned traders that any shop sealed for refusing to open on Mondays will attract a ₦20 million fine, with an additional ₦20 million penalty for unlawfully unsealing it.

“Any trader who refuses to open their shop on Monday and it gets sealed will pay ₦20 million. If you unseal it yourself, you will pay another ₦20 million,” Soludo said while addressing traders on the state’s enforcement drive against the Monday sit-at-home order.

The governor said the state government is determined to end the practice and insisted that residents must go about their lawful businesses without fear or intimidation.

Crackdown on sit-at-home 

Soludo has repeatedly directed markets and shops in Anambra to open on Mondays, describing the weekly shutdown as economic sabotage. The state government estimates that the Monday sit-at-home costs Anambra about ₦8 billion weekly, and the wider South-East region roughly ₦19.6 billion.

In recent months, the government has shut down markets, including Onitsha Main Market, for defying the directive. Security operatives were deployed to enforce compliance, with armoured vehicles stationed at market entrances to block access.


Pushback from traders and IPOB

The Indigenous People of Biafra introduced the Monday sit-at-home in August 2021 to pressure the federal government over the detention of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu. Although IPOB later said it should only hold on court days, many residents still observe it out of fear of attacks by hoodlums.

IPOB has condemned Soludo’s actions, calling them “intimidation” and urging residents to defy the market closures. Some traders have also cited insecurity as the reason for keeping shops shut on Mondays.

Soludo said the government has provided security personnel at major markets and vowed not to back down. “This is about securing Anambra and reassuring investors that we operate a full working week,” he said.

The latest warning comes as the government steps up enforcement across commercial hubs in Onitsha, Nnewi, and other cities.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

ADC Constitutes National Convention Committees; Imoke, Tambuwal, Utomi, and Others to Lead

Image
 ADC Constitutes National Convention Committees; Imoke, Tambuwal, Utomi, and Others to Lead ​mattersarising6060@gmail.com 9th April, 2026 ABUJA – In preparation for its upcoming National Convention, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has announced the constitution of several high-powered committees and sub-committees. The move, aimed at ensuring a seamless and successful event, involves a diverse group of prominent political figures, technocrats, and seasoned professionals. ​The National Convention is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. In a statement signed by the National Organising Secretary, Prince Chiedu Idigo, the party also issued a notice for an inaugural meeting of all committees today, Thursday, April 9, at the National Secretariat in Abuja. ​Leadership of the Central Coordination Committee Leading the charge is the National Convention Central Coordination Committee, which will serve as the official coordinating secretariat for the event. The committee ...
Read more

Graduate Breaks Down After Seeing Former Classmate on the Street, What Happened Will Shock You

Image
Mattersarising6060@gmail.com A deeply emotional encounter between two former classmates on a public street has drawn attention to the often-overlooked challenges faced by individuals who drop out of school due to circumstances beyond their control. According to eyewitness accounts, a graduate reportedly broke down in tears after recognizing a former classmate now living in a distressed mental state. Overwhelmed with emotion, the graduate recalled how the individual had once been a source of academic and financial support during their school years. “You were always the one helping me during exams and even supporting me financially. What went wrong?” the graduate was heard asking. In response, the former classmate attributed his current condition to prolonged family challenges, alleging that his stepmother had consistently worked against his progress. The statement was delivered with visible distress, further intensifying the emotional scene. Observers say the incident underscores the co...
Read more

BREAKING: INEC Shelves Nationwide Voter Revalidation Until After 2027 Polls

Image
  Matters Arising 6060   mattersarising6060@gmail.com April 10, 2026. ABUJA— In a significant policy shift, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the postponement of its much-anticipated nationwide voter revalidation exercise. The decision was made during a high-stakes meeting between the Commission and Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) held today, Friday, April 10, 2026. The Decision In a press statement signed by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC confirmed that the revalidation exercise will now take place after the 2027 General Election. While the statement did not explicitly outline the reasons for the delay, the decision has already sparked intense discussions among stakeholders about the preparedness of the voter register for the upcoming elections. What is Voter Revalidation? For those unfamiliar, voter revalidation is essentially the "health check" of Niger...
Read more