*”Soludo’s Approach Is Unconstructive” — Rep. Aguocha
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The Anambra State Government has directed all categories of schools in the state to ensure full resumption of academic activities on Mondays, warning that non-compliant schools would be shut down.
The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Awka, adding that a circular conveying the directive had already been issued to school authorities.
“The order, given at the instance of Gov. Chukwuma Soludo, applies to all public, private, mission and returned schools across the state. Any school that fails to resume activities on Mondays will face immediate closure,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has led the enforcement of security operatives at the Onitsha Main Market to enforce the one-week closure ordered by Governor Soludo.
As a result of the directive, on Tuesday, the market was barricaded by security agencies, with hundreds of security personnel seen around the area, while armoured personnel carriers and Hilux vans were used to block strategic locations across the market.
The security personnel prevented traders and any other person from moving into the market.
Speaking on Thursday during the reinforcement exercise at the market, CP Orutugu said his presence is to further reinforce public order, safety, and confidence across the metropolis and its environs.
“This is a security assessment tour, to personally supervise and evaluate the deployment of Police-led Joint Security Forces at strategic locations within Onitsha,” he said.
“This proactive engagement underscores the Command’s resolve to maintain peace, ensure compliance with lawful directives, and prevent any breach of public order.
“The security situation in Onitsha remains calm and firmly under control, as the Command continues to reassure residents, traders, and commuters of their safety.”
The development led to a series of protests by some residents and traders who, on Wednesday, blocked the ever-busy Asaba-Onitsha Expressway leading to the River Niger bridge for several minutes before security personnel came to disperse the protesters.
Governor Soludo had on Monday ordered the closure of the Onitsha Main Market for one week following traders’ failure to comply with the state government’s directive to disregard the Monday sit-at-home order.
The governor gave the directive during an on-site visit to the market, along with some of his aides and other government officials.
Soludo said the Monday sit-at-home had no legal backing and was crippling businesses and livelihoods in Anambra, undermining government efforts to restore normal economic activities.
The Monday sit-at-home was initiated in 2021 by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the South-East to protest the arrest and detention of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
The protest rule that residents stay off work and keep businesses closed every Monday originally coincided with Kanu’s scheduled court appearances. Residents and traders who defied the Monday sit-at-home directive and went about their businesses were frequently targeted by its enforcers.
In November 2025, a federal high court in Abuja sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment for terrorism charges.
Meanwhile, Obi Aguocha, a member of the House of Representatives representing Ikwuano, Umuahia North, and Umuahia South, has criticised Governor Soludo over his handling of efforts to end the Monday sit-at-home in the state.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Aguocha said Soludo’s actions, though well-intentioned, were implemented in an “unconstructive and unacceptable manner.”
The lawmaker warned that the closure of the Onitsha Main Market could reignite fear and resistance, leading to violence across the region.
“These misguided ordinances and actions have reignited embers of fear, hardened resistance, and resurrected old resentments which, if left unchecked, could plunge us into uncharted waters of renewed violence, serious crimes, and widespread criminality across the South-East,” the statement reads.
Aguocha said many markets, plazas, and shopping centres in the South-East had gradually returned to normal operations over the past three years, with traders resuming activities without intimidation.
The legislator said sustained engagement by political leaders and community stakeholders had helped restore calm to rural and commercial centres.
“Governor Soludo cannot force, punish, or compel private business owners to close or open their shops, or to trade or refrain from trading,” the lawmaker said.
“Would the Governor also invoke the same punitive measures against those who choose to close their shops early on Wednesdays to attend mid-week religious services?”
Aguocha said the decision to trade on Monday or not is a fundamental right of citizens and not governed by any state, labour, or market-union relationship.
The lawmaker also linked the persistence of agitation in the region to broader national issues, including Kanu, alleged bias in the administration of justice, and what he described as the marginalisation of the Igbo people and persecution of Christians.
“If nothing urgent is done, no reasonable person or political party should expect Igbo votes by any means whatsoever, whether coerced, manipulated, or compelled. Our votes will count. We will defend them, even at the cost of our lives,” he said.
Aguocha said as a lawmaker, he bears the responsibility of choosing the best path to “our cherished freedom.”
“I pledge today to discharge this responsibility with every measure of strength and wisdom at my disposal—guided by your hopes, mindful of your concerns, and sustained by your prayers,” he said.
He called on the people of Anambra to stay calm, avoid the destruction of lives and property, and channel their grievances into peaceful protests for their fundamental rights.
“Be assured that I stand firmly with you. Enough is enough,” the legislator added.
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