“Don’t Push Me to Demolish It”: Soludo Stands Firm on Closure of Onitsha Main Market

Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has issued a stern warning to traders at the iconic Onitsha Main Market, declaring that there is "no going back" on the government's decision to temporarily close the market. Speaking on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, the Governor warned that any attempt by traders to defy the order or sabotage the government's urban renewal efforts could lead to a permanent demolition of the affected structures.

The closure is part of the state government’s aggressive plan to reorganize the market, clear illegal structures that block drainage systems, and modernize the trading environment. For years, the Onitsha Main Market—often cited as the largest in West Africa—has struggled with extreme congestion, poor sanitation, and recurring fire outbreaks.
Governor Soludo emphasized that his administration is committed to transforming Onitsha into a "liveable and prosperous megacity," and the current state of the market is incompatible with that vision.

“The closure is for the good of the traders and the people of Anambra. We want to clean up the mess and make the market a world-class trading hub,” Soludo stated. “But let me be clear: do not push me. If the traders choose to be lawless or resist the sanitization process, I will not hesitate to demolish the market and rebuild it from scratch according to the master plan.”

Union leaders have called for a more inclusive dialogue, pleading for a phased reorganization that wouldn’t require a total shutdown.
However, the state government remains undeterred, insisting that the "old ways of doing things" must end for progress to take hold in Onitsha.

Is Governor Soludo’s threat of demolition too harsh, or is it the only way to finally bring order to Onitsha? How should the government balance urban renewal with the survival of small businesses? Drop your comments below!

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