Commercial activities in Onitsha main market and the others gradually felt the impact of the directive issued by the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu that totally cancelled the sit-at-home observed across Nigeria’s South-east on Mondays.
This was as close to 70 per cent of traders returned to their shops, reopening businesses that had remained shut last week despite the Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo’s spirited efforts to get the markets bubbly on Mondays.
A statement issued on Sunday by the IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful read in part, “There is now no need, excuse, or justification for anyone to stay at home on Mondays.
“All markets, schools, offices, transport services, and economic activities must resume fully and normally. From tomorrow, the Monday sit-at-home is over.” Powerful challenged anyone doubting that Kanu has terminated the infamous Monday sit-at-home in the region should visit the IPOB leader at the Sokoto prison facility for confirmation.
TopSociety recalls that the sit-at-home order began in 2021, in agitation for the release of Kanu by the Nigerian government. On November 20, 2025, a federal high court in Abuja sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment
Today, February 9, 2026, buying and selling were observed in Onitsha Main Market and the surrounding Sokoto Road Market, Biafra Market, Marine Market, Ose Okwodu Market, and Bida Road. Although there was scant customer patronage in the morning, business activities picked up by midday.
However, some traders apparently avoided their shops for fear of the unknown, sending apprentices to conduct business on their behalf.
“I didn’t go to the market because we are still afraid, but my boys went. Customers from within and outside the state are not coming. There were rumours last week that hoodlums were planning attacks, so we are cautious,” Justin Igwe, a trader in Marine Market, told Vanguard.
Okwudili Okoye, a trader at Onitsha Main Market, said: “Traders opened their shops, but we have no customers, especially from outside the state. We are hopeful, but without patronage, many people will still stay home. We need ways to encourage customers to return on Mondays.”
The situation was reported to be similar across all major markets and suburbs in Onitsha, highlighting the lingering skepticism among both traders and customers despite the formal termination of the weekly sit-at-home directive.
Governor Soludo was in the market a week ago, warning that his administration would no longer tolerate the sit-at-home culture in Anambra. He insisted that Mondays are official working days and must be treated as such.
“I came to Onitsha today, February 2, to know how you people are faring. Those of you that came out today, I greet you. You are the true people of Anambra. From now on, shops will be open on Mondays,” he said.
