27/01/2026
A MISGUIDED APPROACH AT A FRAGILE MOMENT
The recent proclamation by the Anambra State Government directing the closure of shops due to the observance of a sit-at-home order is deeply troubling, not just in substance but in timing. Coming at a period when the state is gradually recovering from prolonged insecurity, this action risks undoing the fragile progress that has been made.
For months, Anambra’s economy and social life were crippled by violence carried out by unknown gunmen and criminal opportunists who exploited political agitation to instill fear. Markets were forced shut, schools closed, and citizens confined to their homes—not by law, but by terror. Only recently have traders begun to return, confidence has slowly been restored, and normal life has started to re-emerge.
Against this sensitive backdrop, a government-enforced shutdown sends the wrong message.
First, the approach inadvertently legitimizes fear rather than confronting it. Sit-at-home orders have thrived in Anambra because they are enforced through threats and violence. When the state itself orders closures instead of actively protecting those who wish to trade, it unintentionally reinforces the idea that fear determines public life, not the rule of law.
Second, the timing could not be worse. Traders are still counting losses from months of forced inactivity. Many operate on daily turnover and cannot absorb even a single day of closure without hardship. In an economy already strained by inflation and unemployment, compelling people to shut their businesses deepens economic pain and breeds resentment.
Third, the action undermines public trust in governance. Citizens expect government to stand as a shield against intimidation, not to mirror the effects of it. When lawful economic activity is halted by official proclamation rather than protected by security assurance, people begin to question whose interests are being served.
The protests that followed were therefore not surprising. They reflect accumulated frustration from a population that feels economically suffocated and psychologically exhausted. Stability cannot be achieved through sudden directives that disrupt livelihoods without sufficient engagement or reassurance.
Better and More Effective Alternatives
If the goal is to maintain peace and prevent violence, there are far more constructive options available:
Guarantee Security, Not Shutdowns
Deploy visible security personnel around markets, transport hubs, and commercial areas to reassure traders and customers that they are protected.
Encourage Lawful Activity Through Clear Communication
Address citizens directly, assuring them that the government will protect anyone who chooses to go about lawful business, rather than discouraging economic activity.
Target Criminal Elements, Not the General Population
Intelligence-led operations against known troublemakers would be far more effective than blanket economic restrictions that punish innocent citizens.
Engage Stakeholders
Consult market unions, transport associations, traditional rulers, and youth leaders before making proclamations that affect daily survival.
Gradual Confidence-Building Measures
Restore normalcy step by step through town-hall meetings, community policing, and economic incentives for reopening
In conclusion, leadership in times of recovery requires courage, clarity, and consistency. Policies that resemble surrender to fear—even unintentionally—risk reviving the very insecurity they seek to prevent. Anambra does not need another pause in its economic life; it needs reassurance, protection, and steady momentum.
True peace is built not by closing shops, but by opening space for citizens to live and work without fear under the firm protection of the law.
