The Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE) on Friday condemned Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, over his decision to close Onitsha Main Market and his threat of a permanent shutdown.
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Reports indicate that Onitsha Main Market has remained closed throughout the week following the governor’s directive.
Governor Soludo had ordered a one-week closure of the market in response to traders’ continued observance of the Monday sit-at-home order.
The decision sparked protests by traders, which degenerated into chaos in parts of the state.
In a subsequent speech, the governor warned that the market could be closed indefinitely if the situation persisted, a move that has drawn widespread criticism in recent days.
Reacting, the Prime Minister of BRGIE, Ogechukwu Nkere, in a statement, described Soludo’s actions as unjust and targeted at innocent traders.
Nkere of BRGIE, who was recently elected to replace Simon Ekpa following his (Ekpa) sentencing in Finland, faulted what he described as threats against traders, including alleged plans to demolish shops and markets in Onitsha.
According to him, traders in Onitsha have the right to freedom of expression, including the voluntary choice to observe sit-at-home actions in solidarity with Nnamdi Kanu and to express opposition to what he termed Nigeria’s oppression.
Nkere maintained that the sit-at-home actions were undertaken by the traders of their own free will, insisting that neither the BRGIE nor its affiliates coerced or compelled anyone to participate in the protests.
He further drew parallels with historical examples of civil disobedience, citing India’s independence struggle under Mahatma Gandhi, which involved peaceful resistance, economic boycotts, and non-compliance.
“Charles Soludo, whom the Biafra Republic Government in Exile considers an illegitimate governor, should not be targeting innocent Onitsha traders, including threatening to demolish their shops and markets. Onitsha traders have the right to freedom of expression, including the voluntary decision to observe sit-at-home actions in solidarity with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and to express their displeasure towards Nigeria’s oppression.
“These actions are undertaken entirely of the Onitsha traders’ own volition.
“The BRGIE and its affiliates in the homeland did not coerce or compel traders in any way to engage in sit-at-home protests.
“There is historical precedence where people have achieved independence through civil disobedience, such as when Mahatma Gandhi and the people of India achieved independence from Great Britain through peaceful disobedience, which included social and economic boycotts and non-compliance,” he said.
It was reported that the market closure has been attracting diverse reactions, with the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, asking the traders to ignore the governor.
To show their displeasure, IPOB has gone ahead to declare sit-at-home across the South-East on Monday February 2.
It is left to be seen if the people would obey the directive.
