Get Guardian on GoogleFollowing two days of confusion and crisis between the Anambra State Government and traders across various markets in the state, particularly the Onitsha Main Market, Governor Chukwuma Soludo has scheduled an emergency meeting with market stakeholders.
The meeting was conveyed through a letter dated January 27, 2026, with reference number MCI/SPAD/MKT/V.1/177, issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and signed by the Special Adviser on Trade and Markets, Evarist Uba.
The letter invited all market Chairmen and Secretaries, Zonal Chairmen and Secretaries, as well as Line Chairmen and Secretaries from all markets in the state.
The meeting is scheduled to hold on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at the International Convention Centre, Awka.
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 further stated that accreditation would be conducted for all invited market leaders.
Meanwhile, analysts and commentators have, in the past two days, blamed the governor for hurriedly announcing the sealing of the Onitsha Main Market, allegedly without consultation with the traders.
They argued that Soludo may have ignited a dangerous precedent, noting that South-Easterners dominate most markets across Nigeria.
They also questioned how the governor would react if other governors in different parts of the country decided to emulate his actions.
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.”
The commentators also expressed concern over the personal security and protection of the traders, their goods, and the markets.
They questioned whether the governor would guarantee or undertake responsibility should anything untoward happen to the traders, the markets, their shops, goods, or lives.
They further challenged the governor, who has repeatedly claimed that billions of naira are being lost in revenue due to market closures, to demonstrate what he has achieved with the substantial revenue collected since assuming office.
They accused the Soludo administration of neglect and abandonment, alleging that there has been no improvement, facelift, or upgrade to either the interior or exterior of the historic market to enhance operations or ensure easy movement in and out of the expansive facility in the event of emergencies.
