By Austin Ogwuda
TODAY, Monday the 2nd of February, 2026, will be testing of wits between the Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo and Onitsha Main Market traders over the lingering Sit at home syndrome that has taken toll on the State including loss of lives, and billions of Naira.
Exactly a week ago, the governor ordered the closure of Onitsha Main Market because the traders were observing the usual Monday sit at home despite Soludo’s directive asking them to abandon the practice.
The one week closure resulted to protests and the subsequent meeting he summoned at Awka where both parties reached agreement to the effect that the market be opened for business with conditions.
Ahead of time, Soludo through his Information Commissioner, Dr. Law Mefor at the weekend, released a press statement saying that “This is to inform the general public that the closure of Onitsha Main Market, ordered by Mr. Governor, Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, lapses this weekend.
“To that effect, all traders are hereby informed to resume business as usual on Monday, February 2, 2026, as there is no longer any form of sit-at-home on Mondays in Anambra State.
“Meanwhile, civil servants and teachers are reminded that the pro rata salary system remains in force: no work on Monday, no pay. Also, parents must release their children for school on Mondays to avoid sanctions.
“Ndị Anambra and residents are assured of adequate security and encouraged to report any security concerns to 5111”, according to the statement.
*The IPOB dimension
However, another dimension is being added to it as The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, reminded Ndigbo and lovers of Biafra that the sit-at-home it declared on Monday, February 2, 2026, will still hold, saying it has not cancelled it.
The pro-Biafra group, in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary Emma Powerful, titled Monday, February 2, 2026 sit-at-home is sacrosanct and will hold, adding that no All Progressives Congress, APC government will stop it.
According to IPOB, “Biafrans are advised to beware of charlatans, ignore misinformation, and comply with the sit-at-home order on Monday, warning them never to be deceived by the agents of the APC government masquerading as Nnamdi Kanu’s close associate.
Powerful disclosed that those agents of APC wanted to deceive Biafrans with fake news of his resignation as the spokesman of IPOB, and non existent as human being, but that plan failed, and they resorted to calling him on the phone, asking him to call off the Monday, February 2, 2026, sit-at-home.
Said the IPOB’s statement: “Any government or APC agent masquerading as an IPOB member will be exposed in due course.
It is public knowledge that Ifeanyi Ejiofor has been sacked by Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and he neither represents him nor the IPOB led by Nazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“Ifeanyi Ejiofor was sacked over 2 years ago and has no business with Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Now, the die is cast; between the Soludo, traders and IPOB, who will blink first?
Most importantly, should the sit at home continue today, that means both the traders and IPOB have successfully tested Soludo’s resolve.
Time is ticking!
