Intersociety condemns Soludo’s market crackdown over Monday sit-at-home

By Jeff Agbodo, Abakaliki

The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) has condemned Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo over what it described as intimidation, harassment, and persecution of school head teachers and traders in the enforcement of the end of Monday sit-at-home orders.

The group criticized the governor for employing violent and commercialized measures to end the sit-at-home, particularly in independently built markets across the state.

“The Soludo Government and top officials are dangerously militarizing state markets and commercial activities, planting resistance instincts among peace-loving traders,” said Intersociety Chairman Emeka Umeagbalasi.

Umeagbalasi noted that traders have consistently complied with state policies and levies, despite frequent harassment and demands for payments on non-taxable items such as sachets of water, yams, and cooking supplies, as well as various stallage, sanitation, and parking levies.

The group also questioned why Governor Soludo targeted traders while reportedly avoiding church leaders and commercial banks, which also close businesses on Mondays.

“While we support naturally ending the Monday Sit-at-Home, the haste and aggressive approach of the government appear heavy-handed and selective,” Umeagbalasi said.

Intersociety further highlighted reports of government officials in Onitsha imposing fines on traders for keeping shops closed, with some officials allegedly targeting 250 shops weekly and demanding N1 million each in penalties.

The group urged the governor to adopt peaceful, fair, and non-militarized approaches, emphasizing that traders and market leaders are law-abiding citizens who have historically partnered with government policies.

The post Intersociety condemns Soludo’s market crackdown over Monday sit-at-home appeared first on Vanguard News.