Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has ordered the immediate closure of the Onitsha main market for one week, warning traders that continued compliance with the Monday sit-at-home will attract stiffer sanctions, including a possible one-month shutdown. This decision follows the state government’s announcement to abolish the Monday sit-at-home practice, with Governor Soludo emphasizing that workers who absent themselves on Mondays will face salary deductions or forfeiture of pay.
The government has introduced pro-rata salary payments, effective February 2026, where workers’ monthly salaries will be divided by 24 official working days to determine the daily rate. This move aims to curb persistent Monday absenteeism among public servants, which has negatively impacted government productivity and the state’s economy.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has warned Governor Soludo against penalizing citizens for observing the Monday sit-at-home, describing it as a peaceful form of civil protest. IPOB emphasizes that residents’ choice to stay home is voluntary and not a criminal act.