The Anambra State Government, under the leadership of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, has announced plans to conduct comprehensive market elections across the state and enforce a strict eight-year term limit for market executives.
The government also directed that all markets across the state resume full business activities on Mondays, formally putting an end to the Monday sit-at-home in the commercial sector.
The decision was conveyed to traders during a working visit to Onitsha Main Market by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Markets, Chief Evarist Uba, on Tuesday, as part of the state government’s engagement with market stakeholders.
Uba explained that the directive followed a policy decision reached at the Anambra State Executive Council retreat held on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, and was aimed at restoring economic stability, safeguarding traders’ livelihoods, and sustaining commercial growth across the state.
The Special Adviser warned that any market found flouting the directive would be sealed for two weeks, stressing that the Soludo administration would not tolerate actions capable of undermining economic activities and public order.
“The state government, under the leadership of Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has directed that all markets across the state resume full business activities on Mondays, following a policy decision reached at the Anambra State Executive Council retreat,” Uba said.
On the forthcoming market elections, Uba disclosed that the state government would soon start conducting elections in markets within the state, beginning from market line executives.
He added that line and zonal leaders of any market who have served for more than eight years would not be eligible to recontest.
“Only traders who actively conduct business within the markets would be allowed to contest elective positions; he who wears the shoes knows where it pinches,” Uba stated.
Responding, the President of the Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA), Chief Humphrey Anuna, commended the state government for the visit and appreciated the caretaker committee leadership of Onitsha Main Market for their commitment to maintaining order and stability.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Onitsha Main Market, Chijioke Okpalaugo, assured the state government of the market’s total compliance with the directive.
Okpalaugo pledged that Onitsha Main Market would not be found wanting, emphasising that the Monday sit-at-home would no longer be observed.
He thanked the Soludo administration for its continuous support and the relative stability currently enjoyed in the market.
In furtherance of the government’s engagement with traders, the delegation also visited Agbaedo New Auto Spare Parts Market, Nnewi, where the same message was delivered to both the market and leaders of New Motorcycle Spare Parts Dealers, who were jointly addressed on the same government decision, urging traders to resume normal business activities every Monday.
Meanwhile, the state government has summoned all market executives in the state, including zonal chairmen and secretaries and line chairmen and secretaries, to a crucial meeting with Governor Soludo.
In a notice signed by Chief Evarist Uba, the meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 11:00am at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Awka, on matters of urgent importance.
“Please note that there will be an accreditation of all invitees and that all are to be seated by 11:30am prompt,” the notice stated.
It would be recalled that Governor Soludo had on Monday ordered the closure of 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 issued the directive during an on-site visit to the market, accompanied by some of his aides and other government officials.
Soludo warned that the closure could be extended if traders fail to comply with the directive, adding that security agencies have sealed the market to enforce the order.