By Madu Obi The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), said a total of 4,423 new voters have so far been registered in Anambra State within four weeks in the ongoing Continuous Voters Registration (CVR), exercise ahead of the 2027 general elections. The registration started on January 5th, 2026 and it is expected to end April 17th, 2026. The State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Queen Elizabeth Agwu, who spoke in Awka, said the exercise is ongoing across the 21 local government areas of the state. Expressing satisfaction with the number registered within the period under review, Agwu said the success was as a result of the collaborative support the Commission is getting from other relevant stakeholders, particularly, political parties and the media. “The Commission under my watch in Anambra State is highly impressed and we believe that at the end of the ongoing nationwide registration, we are expected to be among states with high number of voters. Dr Agwu urged the residents from age 18 to come out and register as soon as possible to avoid last minute rush.

By Madu Obi The national chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Senator David Mark has urged members of the party's policy and manifesto committee to be prepared, not just to win power, but to justify power through service. Senator Mark spoke during the inauguration of 50-member Policy and Manifesto committee of the party in Abuja. He explained that the exercise signals a major step in the party’s policy development and future electoral preparation. He said: "The ADC must be known not for noise, but for seriousness; not for empty promises, but for performance; not for propaganda, but for reality. Across the country, families are working harder and earning lesser and lesser, food prices rise faster than wages, salaries and incomes can't cope. Power supply remains epileptic even as tariffs increase astronomically. Strangely, the APC government continues to aggravate the citizen’s tax burdens. Insecurity continues to disrupt the people's social and economic life. Nigerians are suffering today perhaps more than any other time in our history. Poverty stares us in the face. Poverty and hardship have always existed but the hardship and poverty that Nigerians are experiencing under the APC administration has gotten worse. This situation has been brought about and compounded by government needlessly vicious policies. What Nigerians are therefore desperately looking for are credible alternative ideas, actions and policies. They want policies that would improve their lives today and lay a solid foundation on which they can improve their future. They want policies that show compassion." He added: "Nigerians are not looking for clever arguments. They want policies and actions that show that government understands what they are going through and is prepared to act with clarity, courage and most importantly with compassion. This is what the African Democratic Congress represents, a party that puts the people first. Nigerians are not looking for who to blame for their suffering, they already know who is responsible for that. They are looking for who will ease the pains. They want real, practical solutions that address the challenges of today, not policies that expect them to continue to give and give and give." According to Senator Mark, Nigeria does not suffer from shortage of ideas, adding that what the country is suffering from is a failure to connect ideas to reality. "Too often, policy in this country has been an academic exercise detached from the very people it is meant to serve. Documents are produced, committees are set up, reports are written, white papers are produced, yet nothing changes in the lives of the people which is what matters most. Policy is not about sounding intelligent. It is not about volume or complexity. You must resist the temptation to treat symptoms while ignoring causes. You must go beneath the surface. You must think outside of the box. You must ask hard questions about why things are not working in this country. This is the burden before you", he charged the committee members. He emphasized that the committee will engage stakeholders, review national policies, and provide practical governance solutions that address Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges. Among those inaugurated were Oseloka Obaze, former Secretary to the Government of Anambra State and Chief Ndubuisi Nwobu, the ADC deputy governorship candidate in the last Anambra election.

By Madu Obi Fear of the unknown made many traders and their customers not to near the various markets in Anambra State on Monday, despite the presence of security across the state. The big traders in Onitsha sent their boys ( the apprentices) to go open the shops early as directed by Governor Chukwuma Soludo, but the were no buyers. In Nnewi, there was an announcement on Saturday directing that all markets must open and although the shops were open, the traders just say and discussed. In Ihiala, the popular Nkwo Ogbe remained shut, although the surroundings were lively with transporters and commercial motorcycle operators doing their business unmolested. Some soldiers were also seen patrolling the roads in Ihiala. A businessman in Onitsha, Chief Paulinus Nweyi said the governor's action was the first stage towards return to normalcy on Mondays. "We are happy that Governor Soludo took this bold decision. We cannot continue to waste the first working day of the week for ever "Those who refused to open their shops should be prepared to lose them. We cannot continue to listen to these people who go into the toilets and send threatening messages to the social media from there. We don't know who they are; they have no address and they can't identify themselves. We'll be doing ourselves serious harm if we continue to listen to them. If they want Nnamdi Kanu to be released, they should go to Sokoto where he is and not to be causing trouble for us in Onitsha.." The Chairman of the Onitsha Main Market Association, Mr. Chijioke Okparaugo, who was seen monitoring compliance, told reporters that the era of Monday sit-at-home was over. “You can visit any line or any part of the market to confirm that we are fully back to business every Monday,” he said. The Police Public Relations Officer of Anambra State, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, described the level of compliance as over 80 percent, noting that the command was proactive in securing lives and property. “The situation speaks for itself. Monday sit-at-home has been laid to rest, and compliance is above eighty percent,” he said. He reassured residents that incidents of attacks and arson associated with the sit-at-home order were over, adding that security operatives would continue to protect lives and property daily, not just on Mondays. Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Security, Prince Kenneth Emeakayi, also described the reopening as a significant achievement, assuring traders that the Agunechemba Security Squad would remain fully deployed across markets in the state. “We thank our traders for this courageous turnout and all security operatives for reclaiming our Mondays from miscreants, most of whom are not traders,” “We will sustain internal security in all markets. Traders should go about their lawful duties without fear. Agunechemba is fully prepared and on top of the situation.”he said.

By Madu Obi Fear of the unknown made many traders and their customers not to near the various markets in Anambra State on Monday, despite the presence of security across the state. The big traders in Onitsha sent their boys ( the apprentices) to go open the shops early as directed by Governor Chukwuma Soludo, but the were no buyers. In Nnewi, there was an announcement on Saturday directing that all markets must open and although the shops were open, the traders just say and discussed. In Ihiala, the popular Nkwo Ogbe remained shut, although the surroundings were lively with transporters and commercial motorcycle operators doing their business unmolested. Some soldiers were also seen patrolling the roads in Ihiala. A businessman in Onitsha, Chief Paulinus Nweyi said the governor's action was the first stage towards return to normalcy on Mondays. "We are happy that Governor Soludo took this bold decision. We cannot continue to waste the first working day of the week for ever "Those who refused to open their shops should be prepared to lose them. We cannot continue to listen to these people who go into the toilets and send threatening messages to the social media from there. "We don't know who they are; they have no address and they can't identify themselves. We'll be doing ourselves serious harm if we continue to listen to them. "If they want Nnamdi Kanu to be released, they should go to Sokoto where he is and not to be causing trouble for us in Onitsha.." The Chairman of the Onitsha Main Market Association, Mr. Chijioke Okparaugo, who was seen monitoring compliance, told reporters that the era of Monday sit-at-home was over. “You can visit any line or any part of the market to confirm that we are fully back to business every Monday,” he said. The Police Public Relations Officer of Anambra State, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, described the level of compliance as over 80 percent, noting that the command was proactive in securing lives and property. “The situation speaks for itself. Monday sit-at-home has been laid to rest, and compliance is above eighty percent,” he said. He reassured residents that incidents of attacks and arson associated with the sit-at-home order were over, adding that security operatives would continue to protect lives and property daily, not just on Mondays. Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Security, Prince Kenneth Emeakayi, also described the reopening as a significant achievement, assuring traders that the Agunechemba Security Squad would remain fully deployed across markets in the state. “We thank our traders for this courageous turnout and all security operatives for reclaiming our Mondays from miscreants, most of whom are not traders,” “We will sustain internal security in all markets. Traders should go about their lawful duties without fear. Agunechemba is fully prepared and on top of the situation.”he said.

By Madu Obi Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, visited the main market, Onitsha.in what was seen as a symbolic and practical declaration that the state is open for business, on Mondays. He visited the various trading zones, including: Ose Market, Bright Street, Lagos Line, Emeka Offor Plaza, among other places, thus signaling an end to the sit at home that had crippled the South-East economy since 2021. Accompanied by key government officials, Soludo discussed with traders, assuring that the fear factor used to enforce the shutdown had faded and died. The Monday sit-at-home was originally initiated by separatist groups in 2021. While the groups have since issued various cancellations, "ghost-town" Mondays persisted due to fear of enforcement by rogue elements. "Ndi Anambra are taking back their day, their economy, and their future," Governor Soludo told a gathering of traders.

By Madu Obi The Anambra State chapter of Renewed Hope Ambassadors, RHA, has set machinery in motion for the reelection of President Nola Tinubu in 2027 by commencing the mobilization of the people ahead of the election. Inaugurating the zonal and local government coordinators of RHA in Anambra State, the state coordinator, Chief Okey Ezenwa, urged them to advance the policies, achievements, and objectives of the Tinubu Presidency to the people at the grassroots level. He described the coordinators as people entrusted with the crucial responsibility of working with the All Progressives Congress, APC, to make sure that Nigerians are fully abreast with the contents of the party's manifesto Ezenwa said their inauguration transcended mere ceremonial importance; adding that it was a call to action as they are expected to engage directly with members of every household in Anambra from now till the election. He expressed the gratitude of the state chapter of RHA to President Bola Tinubu for entrusting them with this responsibility which he viewed as very important. He also hailed what he called the President's visionary and principled leadership which had made tangible progress in unifying the nation. Charging the members, Ezenwa said: "You will clarify and justify policy intentions and how they will translate to a better standard of living for the people in your zones. You will model principled leadership, maintain open dialogue, and measure progress through tangible results. Your leadership must be inclusive, culturally sensitive, and committed to delivering concrete improvements in people’s lives. You are also expected to present policies and achievements in clear, accessible language and create spaces for questions and feedbacks, while communicating verifiable accomplishments and upcoming milestones with transparency. You should also organize town hall meetings to interact with local residents, civil society, faith-based organizations, and the private sector." He added: "The RHA in Anambra State should be seen to inspire confidence, drive measurable improvements, and deepen trust in our democratic process. You should lead with transparency, accountability, and an unwavering commitment to the people of Anambra".

By Madu Obi Governor Chukwuma Soludo has insisted that all markets and shops across the state must remain open every working day, including Mondays, stressing that the move is aimed at restoring the economy of the state. The governor made the declaration during an interactive session with market leaders from all parts of the state. The meeting came on the heels of the recent closure of the Onitsha Main Market and the persistent growing Monday sit-at-home that has crippled commerce in the Southeast for years. Addressing the traders of Onitsha Main Market specifically, Governor Soludo gave them an ultimatum to "renovate or rebuild" the economy of the state. He muted the idea of leveling the existing structures to build a completely new, world-class trading hub, or embark on a massive modernization project. According to him, regardless of the choice, the era of Monday closures is over. "I decided to oblige this meeting as an interactive session so I can once again listen to you. For four years, we engaged with you. We discussed, pleaded, and even held prayer sessions with all the churches in April 2022 to end this. It is now time for more action", he said. Governor Soludo was firm that the current enforcement of the sit-at-home order has transitioned from a political protest to a criminal enterprise that no longer serves the interest of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB. He said: "It is not linked to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. In 2016/2017, I led 13 Igbo stakeholders to see him , and afterwards addressed a press conference asking for his release, and he was released afterwards. I also visited him in DSS custody in March after I assumed office. He does not support the sit-at-home. If it doesn't happen in Umuahia, his hometown, why Onitsha and Nnewi?" He further alleged that those enforcing the order are largely non-indigenes of Anambra State and warned that "extreme measures" would be deployed by the government if the defiance persists. Governor Soludo reaffirmed his commitment to securing the state’s commercial hubs, promising that the security architecture across all markets would be overhauled to prevent harassment. "Igbo land and Anambra will move forward," the governor declared. Responding, the leadership of the markets expressed willingness to comply, highlighting, however, the logistical and security challenges they are facing. Chairman of the Onitsha Main Market, Mr. Chijioke Okpalugo pledged that traders would begin Monday operations in alignment with the Governor’s vision for a "One Anambra." The traders’ leadership presented several requests to ensure that the transition is successful, including: a visible and proactive security presence to protect traders and customers. They also urged government to ensure that motor parks are fully operational to bring buyers from outside the state, as well address those who benefit from the closures or facilitate the enforcement of the sit-at-home.

By Madu Obi The wife of the governor of Anambra State, Mrs Nonye Soludo has congratulated the state for emerging the overall best at the maiden edition of National Teachers' Summit in Abuja Mrs Hope Chekwube Ifentike of Government Technical College, Onitsha, who represented the state, emerged overall best in the South East and first runner-up at the national level, bringing home a cash prize of ₦25 million. Reacting on the development, Mrs Soludo said: "This honour goes beyond just an academic exercise; it's a result of deliberate ambition driven by sincere will and sustainable government vision. The Solution administration has invested heavily in education, taking into account its necessity to sound human capital success and the future of Anambra State. Anambra teachers have been empowered like never before to succeed in the classrooms, outside the school walls, and elsewhere. Let me congratulate Mrs. Ifentike for her brilliance and strong dedication and for showing the world what Anambra is made of." She commended the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her remarkable partnership with the Federal Ministry of Education, which, she observed, made the event both a reality and successful.

By Madu Obi The Anambra State Police command has said that its presence, along with other security operatives at the Onitsha Main Market is the maintain law and order in compliance with the directive of the state government, as approved by Governor Chukwuma Soludo. The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Tochukwu Ikenga explained that in furtherance of the directive, adequate security has been deployed in and around the market and in other strategic locations within the commercial city. Ikenga said that traders who were seen around the market were addressed and sensitized on the need to cooperate fully with government directives in the interest of public safety, security, and economic stability. He assured members of the public that the situation in Onitsha and across Anambra State has remained calm and under control, adding that there is continuous monitoring of the situation to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

By Madu Obi The Anambra State government has added 12 markets to the list of those that must open for business on Mondays, or be prepared to face total closure for one month. Soludo had, on Tuesday, shut down Onitsha Main Market for one week over the consistent refusal of the traders to open on Monday despite his directive for them to do so and described the action of the traders as economic sabotage. The affected markets added to the list include Ochanja Central Market, Bridgehead Market, Ogbaru Main Market, Building Materials Market Ogidi, Agba-Edo Auto Spare Parts Market Nnewi, New Auto and Motorcycle Spare Parts Market Nnewi and Fairly Used Motorcycle Spare Parts Market Nnewi. Others are New Auto Spare Parts Market Nkpor, Nkpor Main Market, Old Mercedes Benz Spare Parts Dealers Market Nkpor, Old Motor Spare Parts Market Obosi, and Electrical Dealers International Market, Obosi. The Anambra State Government has extended its clampdown on the Monday sit-at-home order, warning traders in 12 additional markets across the state to resume full business activities or risk the sealing of their shops and prosecution for economic sabotage. The statement announcing the abolition of the sit at home in affected markets was contained in a circular signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Markets, Chief Evarist Uba. It was addressed to the leaders of major markets under the umbrella of the Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA). In the directive, titled “Abolishment of Monday Sit-at-Home,” the government ordered market chairmen to immediately notify traders in their respective markets to open for business every Monday in compliance with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s executive order to restore normal economic activities in the state. Uba warned that any shop found locked up on Mondays would be sealed by government officials, while defaulters would be charged to court for sabotaging the state’s economy. According to him, government monitoring teams would embark on random inspections of markets statewide, stressing that any market found to be non-compliant would be shut down for one month. “Any shop that is not open will be sealed by government and the occupant charged to court on economic sabotage. Any market found not complying will be sealed for one month,” the statement read. Meanwhile, Governor Soludo has scheduled a meeting with market leaders across the state to deliberate on the issue of sit at home and closure of the markets. The meeting , which will take place on Thursday, January 29, at the International Convention Center, Awka, will be attended by chairmen and secretaries of the various markets in Anambra State. The state government has, however ,insisted that the meeting was not as a result of the protest by some traders on Tuesday calling for the reopening of Onitsha Main Market, but was because some market leaders reached out to government to appeal for the reopening of the market. The letter read: "President General of ASMATA (Anambra State Market Traders Association), all market chairmen and secretaries, all zonal chairmen and secretaries; and all Line chairmen and secretaries, are hereby invited to a crucial meeting with Mr. Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo on matters of urgent importance. "Date is Thursday 29" January 2026 and time is 11.00am prompt.Venue is the International Conference Centre (ICC) Awka". " According to a government source, there will be tight security during the meeting to avoid hoodlums from hijacking it.

By Madu Obi No fewer than 54 health facilities were sealed across Anambra State between January 2023 and December 2025 over alleged quackery practices, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike has said. According to the Commissioner, the sealing of the facilities was in line with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s vision of transforming the state healthcare delivery system to meet international best practices. He, however, added that 15 of the facilities have been reopened following their compliance with the required standards. Obidike stated that a significant progress has been recorded in emergency medical services to strengthen the overall health system in Anambra State. He said: “Since the official commissioning of the Anambra State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System on 11th May 2023, our state has experienced clear and measurable improvements in emergency response, access to care, and patient outcomes. These achievements reflect the administration’s steadfast commitment to safeguarding lives and building a resilient, people-centred health system, driven by the high-impact leadership of our Solution Governor. At inception in May 2023, ASEMSAS began operations with a modest fleet of just ten ambulances across some local government areas in the state.Today, the system has grown to over 60 operational ambulances across all twenty-one local government areas of Anambra State. In addition, we have received declarations of interest from 588 supplementary emergency transport units. Out of this number, 315 tricycle ambulances were dedicated to Rural Emergency Services and Maternal Transportation (RESMAT), a targeted health initiative aimed at reducing maternal and neonatal mortality, particularly in hard-to-reach and underserved rural communities. We have also integrated seven boat ambulances to serve our riverine populations. This expansion of emergency transport has ensured that timely, life-saving care is no longer a privilege of a few, but a service within reach of residents across urban centres, rural settlements, and riverine areas alike. He said that emergency medical care in Anambra State has moved from aspiration to reality, adding that beyond expanding the fleet, the state government has deliberately integrated ASEMSAS with an extensive network of public, private, and faith-based health facilities across the state.

By Emezie Madu, PhD Media and Policy Expert ​The institutionalization of Monday market shutdowns in Anambra State represents a severe exogenous shock to the regional supply chain. As a trade-driven "Hub-and-Spoke" ecosystem, Anambra relies on the "centripetal forces" of economic concentration—a concept central to Paul Krugman’s New Economic Geography (NEG). By enforcing a 20% reduction in the productive workweek, the state faces de-agglomeration, where capital is forced into unproductive idleness, violating the Efficient Market Hypothesis and driving the "Cost of Doing Business" (CoDB) to unsustainable levels. ​Quantifying the Fiscal Erosion ​The scale of this contraction is catastrophic. Based on the Velocity of Money (\text{MV} = \text{PQ}) framework, the state forfeits an estimated ₦7 billion to ₦8 billion every Monday in gross economic activity. This translates to a monthly bleed of ₦30 billion to ₦32 billion, culminating in a staggering annual aggregate loss of ₦360 billion to ₦416 billion in suppressed trade value. Indeed, for the state government, this equates to an annual loss of ₦12 billion to ₦20 billion in forgone IGR potential, assuming a modest 3-5% tax realization rate. ​Institutional Atrophy and Investor Behaviour ​From the lens of Institutional Economics, frequent shutdowns signal a breakdown in the "Social Contract." According to the Solow-Swan Growth Model, long-term expansion is dependent on capital accumulation. When a state presents a "High-Risk, Low-Predictability" environment, it triggers Capital Flight, diverting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to more stable corridors. ​Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s enforcement of Monday commercial activity is a textbook application of Developmental State Theory, where the state must act as the "entrepreneur of last resort" to protect productivity. As noted in the IMF Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Economic Outlook, fiscal sustainability for sub-nationals is impossible without the continuous optimization of IGR generating activities. ​Conclusion ​No trade-dependent economy can undergo a self-inflicted 20% annual contraction and remain solvent. The data is unequivocal: the ₦416 billion annual loss is a developmental catastrophe that undermines the state's comparative advantage. Economic continuity is not merely a preference; it is a fundamental necessity for survival.