Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, will on Thursday, January 29, meet with chairmen and secretaries of various markets in the state over the continued adherence to sit-at-home orders by traders, despite government directives.
A letter from the Ministry of Trade and Commerce, signed on behalf of the commissioner by the Special Adviser to the Governor (SPAD) on Trade and Markets, Mr. Evarist Uba, and sighted by this newspaper, stated that the meeting would hold at the International Convention Center in Awka.
A top government source, who spoke with DAILY POST, denied that the meeting was a result of government capitulation following the traders’ protest on Tuesday. Rather, it was convened because some market leaders reached out to the government to appeal for the reopening of the market.
The letter read: “President General of ASMATA (Anambra State Market Traders Association), All Market Chairmen and Secretaries, All Zonal Chairmen and Secretaries, and All Line Chairmen and Secretaries are hereby invited to a crucial meeting with Mr. Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo CFR (Oluatuegwu), on matters of urgent importance.
“Date: Thursday, 29 January 2026. Time: 11:00 a.m. prompt. Venue: International Convention Centre (ICC), Awka.”
There was tension in Onitsha Main Market on Tuesday following the forceful closure of the market by the governor and the deployment of significant security personnel to enforce it.
While traders had cited the continued incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu as their reason for observing the sit-at-home order, market leaders reached out to the state government to plead for leniency and the reopening of the market.
It was gathered that Thursday’s meeting would be heavily policed, and all attendees will be screened. This is to prevent any attempt by separatist elements to hijack the meeting.
