‘We stand with Nnamdi Kanu’ – Onitsha traders dare Soludo after market shutdown

A video making rounds online Tuesday shows traders at the Onitsha Main Market openly challenging Governor Chukwuma Soludo, chanting “We stand with Nnamdi Kanu”, a day after the governor ordered a one-week closure of the market.

The footage captures traders singing and dancing in support of the jailed IPOB leader, appearing to defy the state government just hours after security operatives enforced the shutdown.

Governor Soludo had on Monday ordered the closure of the main market following traders’ continued observance of the Monday sit-at-home instruction issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in solidarity with Nnamdi Kanu.

The governor described the action as a deliberate disruption of commerce and public order.

“The government cannot stand by while a few individuals undermine public safety and disregard official directives meant to restore normalcy. This is plain economic sabotage,” Soludo said during an on-the-spot assessment of the market, which was accompanied by top officials and security agencies.

He warned that failure to reopen the market after the one-week shutdown could extend the closure to a month.

“You either decide to trade here or go elsewhere. I am very serious about this,” he added.

Despite assurances of improved security and repeated appeals for traders to resume business, many shops remained closed on Monday, prompting the tough enforcement action.

Security around the market was reinforced with a joint task force comprising the police, army, and other agencies.