Gov Soludo Introduces Attendance Register in Anambra Markets

By CHUKS Collins, Awka

Jan 29,2026

Anambra state governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has introduced attendance register for traders in all the markets in the State. The governor,who stated that it is mandatory, gave the directive at the crucial meeting with market leaderships at the International Conference Centre, Awka, on Thursday. 

The meeting was sequel to the shutdown of the Onitsha Main Market and related sundry matters thereto.

According to the governor, line leaders in the markets would be responsible for the daily attendance taking, adding that the Local Government Chairmen would be collecting the attendance registers by 10.00am every Monday.

He also observed as an eyesore the present condition of the Onitsha Main Market noting that henceforth, he would be looking into whether to pull it down completely for a brand new redesigned structure with modern facilities, including spacious motor parks and walkways. According to him, the new design was already submitted to him more than three years ago.

He expressed worry that people carry out all manner of activities on Mondays except open shops for business and going to work. He recalled how he led Igbo leaders including Pat Utomi to Kuje Prison to see Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and discussed the issue of Monday sit at home with him, who eventually directed his lawyers to dissociate him from the sit-at-home order.

"There is no reason for locking up of markets, especially where Onitsha Main Market has one hundred and fifty security personnel.

"So how can you be destroying the homeland you are claiming to be fighting for?

"You have a choice, if you cannot do business in Anambra, we have 36 States in Nigeria, Abuja FCT is there, traders have right not to open, I also have the right to revoke the land the shops are sitting on, if they are not ready to open for business on Mondays.

"Closing or opening of shops, motor parks, and stores does not in any way negatively impact on the revenue of the State, all stallage fees are paid annually but we are interested in the welfare of the people, that's why we insist that markets must open on Mondays and workers must go to work," he said.

While reacting to some of the issues raised by the market leaders, the governor promised an enhanced rigged security system in the markets to compliment the existing security structure in place in the markets. According to him, security will be deployed at strategic market locations on Mondays.

On the fears being expressed about their security for coming out, he assured traders across the enhanced security system is aimed at ending the persistent closure of markets.

He emphasized that the State government would deploy additional security personnel to markets and surrounding areas to restore traders’ confidence and ensure peaceful and free conduct of businesses.

He noted that his administration was committed to working closely with market leaders to rejig security arrangements and ensure they were effective.

“We are going to work with you. We will allow security personnel to stay with you for weeks if necessary. Security is not just about guns; it is also about will and mindset.”

Soludo disclosed that the government has issued a directive mandating all motor parks across the state to open on Mondays, and warned that any park that fails to comply with the directive will be shut down by the government for one week. The governor declared that anyone who shuts down shops or enforces market closures on Mondays is aiding criminal elements loyal to Simon Ekpa and others destabilizing the South-East and Anambra State.

“Anybody found closing shops on Mondays will be treated as a criminal. We cannot harbour criminals in Anambra State,” he said.

He urged traders and residents to report any threat messages or intimidation to the government, assuring them that security agencies would track down and arrest the perpetrators. “If anyone sends you threatening messages, forward them to us. We will get those criminals.

"We will also provide you with additional security personnel,” he added.