In an interview on Arise News on Sunday, February 1, 2026, Elias Odoemena raised constitutional concerns over the decision by Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, to shut down major markets in the state, arguing that the action oversteps the limits of executive authority.
The comments form part of a broader criticism of the state government’s response to market closures amid insecurity and the lingering sit at home culture in parts of the South East. While authorities have justified the shutdown as a necessary economic and security measure, critics insist that legality and due process must not be ignored.
Odoemena questioned whether the Nigerian Constitution grants a governor the power to dictate when traders should open or close their shops. He argued that markets operate as private economic spaces managed by traders and their associations, even though they contribute revenue to the state.
According to Odoemena, policies imposed without clear legal backing risk creating fear and resentment among traders who are already struggling with insecurity and economic uncertainty. He warned that normalising such actions could set a dangerous precedent where executive power intrudes excessively into private lives and livelihoods.
“And that is the question that should be asked: is it constitutional to do that? Does the constitution permit him to do what he did? The answer is no. If His Excellency Governor Chukwuma Soludo can dictate to traders when to open their shops and when not to open their shops, then tomorrow he can wake up one morning and give the traders the timetable on how to be sleeping with their wives.”
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