Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has issued a 14-day ultimatum to traders in Onitsha Main Market to vacate over 10,000 shops marked for demolition.
The directive comes amid controversy following the state government’s earlier closure of the market on Monday, January 26, due to traders’ continued observance of the Monday sit-at-home linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Governor Soludo made the decision during an unscheduled visit to the market, noting that many shops remained closed in defiance of government orders lifting the sit-at-home directive.
He described the persistent Monday closures as unacceptable, warning that the government would no longer tolerate disruptions that undermine economic activities and public order.
The governor emphasized that traders must operate from Monday to Saturday or consider relocating elsewhere.
Despite partial compliance from some traders, many were shocked to discover that their shops had been marked for demolition with only a two-week window to move.
Uzochukwu Joseph Okoye, a trader at the market, expressed frustration over the short notice.
“Fourteen days is too short. Many of us are ready to trade, but transportation, banking, and other logistical issues make it almost impossible to fully operate,” he said.
Okoye also questioned the rationale behind the demolition, noting that all shops were originally approved by the state government before construction, and that traders have been paying taxes on them.
He warned that demolishing more than 10,000 shops could affect roughly 50,000 families, creating a serious humanitarian concern.
The traders are calling on the governor to provide more time, preferably a year, to allow them to continue business while planning relocation, arguing that this would ensure minimal disruption to livelihoods and the local economy.
