The Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE) has faulted Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, over the shutdown of the Onitsha Main Market, insisting that traders who observed the Monday sit-at-home did so voluntarily and were not coerced by any group.

The Prime Minister of BRGIE, Ogechukwu Nkere, announced the position on Saturday, reacting to the state government’s decision to close the market for one week and warn of a possible indefinite shutdown if the situation persists.

Soludo had ordered the closure following reports that many traders continued to comply with the sit-at-home directive, a situation that reportedly triggered protests and unrest in parts of the state.

The governor later warned that the market could be shut indefinitely to restore order and protect economic activities.

But Nkere, who recently emerged as BRGIE’s leader following the sentencing of Simon Ekpa in Finland, described the action as unjust and targeted at innocent traders whose only offence, he said, was exercising their freedom of choice.

In a statement, Nkere maintained that neither the BRGIE nor its affiliates compelled traders in Onitsha to shut their shops on Mondays, stressing that the decision was a personal one made by the traders out of conviction.

“Onitsha traders have the right to freedom of expression, including the voluntary decision to observe sit-at-home actions. These actions are undertaken entirely of their own volition. The BRGIE and its affiliates did not coerce or compel anyone,” he said.

He faulted what he described as threats against traders, including alleged plans to demolish shops and markets, arguing that such measures would only heighten tension in the state.

Nkere likened the sit-at-home to historical acts of civil disobedience, citing India’s independence struggle under Mahatma Gandhi, which involved peaceful resistance, economic boycotts and non-compliance.

The BRGIE leader said that shutting down markets and threatening traders’ livelihoods would not address the region’s underlying grievances.

He said, “Onitsha traders have the right to freedom of expression, including the voluntary decision to observe sit-at-home actions in solidarity with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and to express their displeasure towards Nigeria’s oppression.

“These actions are undertaken entirely of the Onitsha traders’ own volition. The BRGIE and its affiliates in the homeland did not coerce or compel traders in any way to engage in sit-at-home protests.

There is historical precedence where people have achieved independence through civil disobedience, such as when Mahatma Gandhi and the people of India achieved independence from Great Britain through peaceful disobedience, which included social and economic boycotts and non-compliance.”