Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State on Monday declared an end to the long-running Monday sit-at-home observance in the state, signalling the full restoration of commercial activities after years of disruption linked to insecurity in the South-East.
The declaration was made during a high-profile walk-through of the Onitsha Main Market, where the governor personally led traders and residents through major commercial corridors to demonstrate that business activities had resumed without hindrance.
Soludo described the development as a turning point for the state’s economy, which he said had suffered severe setbacks due to recurring shutdowns since 2021.
“Ndi Anambra are taking back their day, their economy and their future. Today marks the end of the sit-at-home,” the governor said.
He expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance, noting the significant presence of traders and buyers across the market.
“I am impressed by the turnout of traders and the number of people who have come out to make purchases today,” Soludo added.
During the exercise, the governor walked through high-traffic areas including Ose Market, Bright Street, Lagos Line and Emeka Offor Plaza, engaging traders and shoppers while monitoring business activities.
He also made purchases of locally produced goods, including fabrics and food items, in what officials described as a confidence-building move aimed at dispelling lingering fear among traders.
Earlier, the state government had warned shop owners against continued closure of their businesses on Mondays, saying defiance could attract sanctions, including forfeiture of shops in government-owned markets.
The Monday sit-at-home was introduced in 2021 by separatist groups in the South-East as a protest strategy, initially gaining widespread compliance across the region.
Although the groups later announced the suspension of the directive, economic activities on Mondays remained largely paralysed in Anambra and neighbouring states due to fear of violence and enforcement by criminal elements who exploited the situation.
The prolonged shutdown led to heavy losses for traders, transport operators and small businesses, particularly in commercial hubs such as Onitsha, Nnewi and Awka, while also discouraging investment and disrupting supply chains.
In recent months, the Soludo administration intensified security operations, community engagement and enforcement measures to dismantle criminal networks linked to the sit-at-home enforcement, while urging residents to resume normal economic life.
Monday’s market walk was therefore both symbolic and practical, aimed at reassuring residents and investors that security had improved and that Anambra was safe for business.
