Market closure crisis: Soludo schedules dialogue with traders

 By Chuks Collins, Awka 

Jan 28, 2026

Following two days of confusion and crisis between the Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo and traders in the various markets in the state, particularly the Onitsha Main Market he has scheduled an emergency meeting with the Stakeholders.

In a letter dated January 27,2026 with ref MCI/SPAD/MKT/V.1/177 from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and signed by Chief Evarist UBA who is the Special Adviser (Trade and Markets), invited all Chairmen and Secretaries of Markets, Zonal Chairmen/Secretaries and all Line Chairmen and Secretaries of all the markets in the state.

The meeting was scheduled to hold at the International Convention Center in Awka tomorrow at 11am.

The letter read in part, ".. Notice is hereby given to Market Executives in the state including Zonal Chairmen and Secretaries, Line Chairmen and Secretaries to a crucial meeting with Mr Governor, Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo on matters of urgent importance..."

The message added that there would be accreditation of all invited market leaders.

Analysts and commentators had in the past two days blamed the governor for acting like a dictator in hurriedly announcing the sealing of the Onitsha Main Market without any consultation.

They reasoned that Soludo may have ignited a dangerous precedence, knowing full well that it's South Easterners that dominate nearly all markets in Nigeria.

The analysts wondered what would be the governor's reaction when other governors in other parts of the country decide to emulate his footsteps.

They reiterated the dangers in the trend because, "the trend was illconceived and narrow viewed. 

According to them,  "because if the traders drag the governor to court they would win. Because the governor neither gave them the shops, paid rent for them nor were they serving him or has any subsisting binding contract with him", they noted.

The Commentators also feared for the protection, personal security and protection of the traders', their goods and the markets.

Whether the governor would guarantee or undertake to take care of them, should anything untoward happens to them, the markets, their shops, goods and lives.

They also prodded the governor who always claim to be missing billions in revenue as a result of the market closure. He was asked to show in practical terms what he has so far achieved with the humongous revenue collected since he mounted the saddle as the state governor.

They accused Soludo of neglect and abandonment as there has not been any improvement, facelift or upgrade of either the inside or the exteriors for better operations, easy movement in and out of the expansive popular and historic edifice in case of emergency.