Citypost News Desk
A fresh wave of criticism has trailed the Anambra State Government following its decision to shut down Onitsha Main Market (the largest Market in Africa based on geographical size and volume of goods) after traders refused to open on Mondays over the Sit-At-Home security threats from non-state actors.
Reacting to the development, a renowned business leader and lawyer of international repute, Barr. Donald Amamgbo (Okosisi Ihiala), immediate past ADC candidate for the Anambra South Senatorial District, described the action as “punishing victims instead of criminals,” accusing the government of failing in its fundamental duty to protect lives and livelihoods.
Amamgbo said the market closure was a clear sign of leadership failure, noting that traders stayed away from Monday trading not out of defiance but out of fear for their lives. He recalled previous incidents in which traders who ignored the illegal sit-at-home orders had their shops destroyed, were violently attacked, and in some cases killed.
“What makes the decision even more disturbing,” Amamgbo noted, “is that elected members of the Anambra State House of Assembly have reportedly shifted their plenary sittings from Mondays to Tuesdays to avoid provoking the same violent group. If lawmakers can take such precautions, it is unjust to punish traders for doing likewise.”
The former senatorial candidate lamented the silence of political leaders across the state, including members of the State House of Assembly, National Assembly, and other influential institutions, describing their inaction as a dangerous normalization of injustice.
He further expressed disappointment that traders, who reportedly voted massively for the governor’s reelection, were now being subjected to policies he described as insensitive and contradictory to the ruling party’s slogan, “Nkea bu nke anyi”, meaning the party belongs to the people.
According to Amamgbo, the week-long market shutdown represents an admission of government failure to confront criminal elements. He argued that the appropriate response should have been the deployment of adequate security to protect traders and the dismantling of criminal networks enforcing the illegal Monday orders.
“As stakeholders, we must not wait until we are elected or appointed before speaking out,” he said, adding that fear of political consequences had silenced many leaders who should ordinarily defend the people.
Amamgbo called on the Anambra State Government to immediately reopen the market and provide round-the-clock security to guarantee the safety of traders willing to do business on Mondays.
He also urged the Federal Government to intervene by checking what he described as the excesses of the state government and taking decisive steps to protect businesses, lives, and property.
“Innocent traders must not continue to pay the price for the state’s inability or unwillingness to enforce the rule of law,” Amamgbo concluded.
