Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has declared that the long-running Monday sit-at-home in the South-East has effectively come to an end, citing the gradual return of economic and commercial activities across the region.
Governor Soludo made the declaration while speaking at the Delta State Economic and Investment Summit 2026, where he attributed his late arrival at the event to heavy traffic in Onitsha on a Monday—an occurrence he described as evidence that residents and businesses are returning to normal life.
According to the governor, the renewed movement of people and vehicles on Mondays reflects the success of efforts to restore confidence and revive economic activities in Anambra State.
The Monday sit-at-home began in parts of the South-East following calls by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), demanding the release of its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and the actualisation of Biafra. The exercise had, over the years, disrupted commerce, transportation, education and other socio-economic activities across the region.
Speaking at the summit, Soludo said the situation had changed significantly.
“I was delayed because of traffic in Onitsha. Today is a Monday, and to have traffic in Onitsha on a Monday means the Monday sit-at-home is over,” the governor stated.
He also commended Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, for organising the investment summit and reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening regional economic collaboration.
Governor Soludo noted that he had adjusted his official schedule, including postponing the Anambra State Executive Council meeting, to participate in the summit.
The governor has consistently maintained that the era of Monday sit-at-home is ending in Anambra State. Earlier this year, he led a symbolic walk through the Onitsha Main Market on a Monday to encourage traders to resume business activities, insisting that continued observance of the exercise had become detrimental to the region’s economy.
He has repeatedly argued that criminal elements have hijacked the sit-at-home order, using it to instil fear and disrupt legitimate economic activities, while insisting that it no longer serves its original purpose.
During his second-term inauguration in March 2026, Soludo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ending the Monday shutdown, declaring that schools, markets, businesses and public institutions had resumed normal operations.
The governor reiterated that restoring economic activities remains central to his administration’s efforts to promote investment, improve livelihoods and accelerate development across Anambra State.
