Activities gradually resume at the Onitsha Main Market as traders begin to comply with the Anambra State Government’s directive to reopen the commercial hub after days of closure.
As early as 8:46 a.m. on Monday, many shops are open across major sections of the market, including Egerton Road, Ose Foodstuff Market, and Young Park, one of the main entry points, Mediaplusng.com reports. Traders are seen arranging their goods, while customers slowly return to patronise businesses.
From Emeka Offor Plaza through Sokoto Road, Lagos Line, and the Marine axis, commercial activities pick up steadily, with more traders opening their shops and others arriving in large numbers. The growing presence of buyers and sellers signals increasing confidence in the government’s assurance of security across the market.
The visible compliance follows Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s decision to reopen the market after suspending activities for a week due to traders’ observance of a sit-at-home order linked to non-state actors, Mediaplusng.com understands. The shutdown affects one of the largest commercial centres in the South-East, disrupting trade and livelihoods.
On Sunday, February 1, Governor Soludo lifts the closure and urges traders and residents to resume normal business activities. He assures the public that adequate security measures are in place to protect traders, shoppers, and transport operators within the market and other major commercial centres in the state.
Government officials say the reopening is part of broader efforts to restore economic stability and discourage compliance with directives that undermine lawful authority. Security personnel are deployed around strategic points to ensure safety and maintain order as activities resume.
Many traders welcome the decision, noting that prolonged closure significantly affects income and supply chains. While some remain cautious, the increasing turnout suggests renewed trust in the government’s commitment to protect lives, property, and business operations in Anambra State.
As the day progresses, authorities expect full commercial activities to return, reinforcing the state government’s position that markets and public spaces must remain open for economic growth and social stability.
Speaking during a television interview, APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, says the party is engaging key political actors behind the scenes to stop the impeachment process and restore stability in the state, Mediaplusng.com reports.
Yilwatda explains that consultations are ongoing with members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and other stakeholders, stressing that the matter is being treated as an internal political issue. According to him, the reduced public debate and tension around the impeachment plan indicate that the party’s intervention is making progress.
He adds that the APC has strong internal systems for conflict resolution and crisis management, which allow the party to address disagreements early and prevent escalation, Mediaplusng.com understands.
The APC chairman describes the ongoing engagement in Rivers State as a deliberate effort to restore balance, rebuild trust, and ensure political stability. He notes that the party’s leadership prefers dialogue and reconciliation over actions that could deepen divisions.
Yilwatda further states that beyond resolving the immediate crisis, the APC is focused on long-term unity and effective political organisation in Rivers State. He says sustained peace within the party is critical for good governance and democratic stability.
According to him, the APC’s wider objective is to stabilise Rivers State politically, strengthen cooperation among key players, and position the party more effectively ahead of future elections, while ensuring that governance is not disrupted by prolonged political conflict.
