Onitsha Market: Igbo elders caution against internal discord over closure

commends Onitsha traders for peaceful conduct.

 

appeals to government and traders to prioritise dialogue,l

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

NNEWI—THE United Igbo Elders Council, UNIEC, Worldwide, has appealed to the Anambra State government and the traders in Onitsha Main Market and other markets for continued dialogue for the eventual reopening of the Onitsha Main Market and other markets closed by Governor Soludo.

UUIEC also stated that peace is what is required in Onitsha the commercial city of Anambra State and other parts of South East, and not any kind of strife, to sustain the improved security situation beib witnessed in Anambra and other South East States.

The Igbo elders therefore called for immediate cessation of any kind of misunderstanding backlashes following Governor Chukwuma Soludo temporary closure of Onitsha Main Market, saying that constructive dialogue is what is needed now.

UNIEC, in a statement by its Director General, His Lordship Justice Alpha Ikpeama and the National Director Media and Publicity, Prof. Obasi Igwe, titled “UNIEC Worldwide, affirms its support for peace in Onitsha and other parts of Anambra State.

The group expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the people of Anambra State, particularly the traders and other stakeholders in Onitsha who it said displayed calm and restrained since the market was shut down.

UNIEC Statement read, “A call for immediate cessation of misunderstanding and constructive dialogue. The United Igbo Elders Council (UNIEC) Worldwide, acting in continuity with the long-established tradition of Igbo elders intervening at moments of communal strain to preserve peace, dialogue, and social cohesion, affirms its firm support for stability and constructive engagement in Onitsha and other parts of Anambra State over closure of Onitsha Main Market by the Anambra State government.”

“UNIEC commends the people of Anambra State, particularly the traders and other stakeholders in Onitsha, for the calm and restrained manner in which recent concerns involving the Onitsha Main Market and other towards the Monday weekly sit-at-home observance, and the Anambra State Government are being approached.

“UNIEC observes that these matters are not new sources of contention in our communal life and fall squarely within the category of issues historically resolved through consultation, mutual respect, and negotiated understanding. They are neither irreconcilable nor beyond peaceful resolution and should not be allowed to escalate into tensions capable of undermining social harmony, economic activity, or public order.

“At this critical period in Igbo history, when unity, calm, and collective focus are indispensable, UNIEC cautions against any form of internal discord and reiterates that peaceful dialogue and restraint remain the most credible and enduring pathways to resolving differences.

“In keeping with its responsibility to offer steady counsel and to help bridge differences when tensions arise, the United Igbo Elders Council (UNIEC) Worldwide hereby commits itself to facilitating engagement among all concerned stakeholders, with a view to de-escalation, reconciliation, and the prompt restoration of peace and normalcy.

“The Council is already in contact with relevant parties and shall intensify these efforts until a balanced, honourable, and sustainable resolution is achieved.

“UNIEC therefore appeals to all sides to exercise restraint, prioritise dialogue, and cooperate fully with mediation efforts, in the overriding interest of peace, unity, economic stability, and the shared future of Ndi Igbo and Anambra State in particular.”

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