The Enugu State Government has warned market leaders against plans to shut down major markets within the state capital on Saturday to enforce attendance at a political rally, declaring that any forced closure will be met with stiff sanctions.
The warning follows reports of a planned shutdown by some market association executives to compel traders to attend a solidarity rally organised by the Enugu East Senatorial District. The rally is aimed at drumming up support for the re-election bids of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Peter Mbah ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a swift reaction on Friday, the state government distanced itself from the planned shutdown, stating that the move directly contradicts its ongoing economic drive and established policy against the disruption of commercial activities.
The position of the state was made known in an official statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dr Malachy Agbo, a copy of which was made available to The PUNCH.
According to the commissioner, while the Mbah administration appreciates the goodwill of the trading community, it will not tolerate actions that sabotage the state’s economic targets or infringe on the fundamental rights of citizens.
The statement read in part: “The attention of the Enugu State Government has been drawn to an alleged plan to shut markets in the state capital as a demonstration of solidarity with the Enugu East zonal rally to drum up support for His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and His Excellency, Governor Peter Mbah, ahead of the 2027 general election.
“While the government appreciates the enormous demonstration of goodwill by traders across the state, it frowns, however, at any attempt by any market leader to shut down major markets in the Enugu East Senatorial District on account of the planned rally.”
Dr Agbo emphasised that forcing markets to close would severely undermine Governor Mbah’s ambition to rapidly scale up the state’s internal economy.
“This is not only contrary to the administration’s vision and drive to grow Enugu State’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion and to position the state as the preferred destination for investment, business, tourism and living, but also contrary to the administration’s decision to ban illegal sit-at-home effective June 5, 2023,” the commissioner stated.
Invoking constitutional provisions, the state government reminded political actors and market authorities that association must remain entirely voluntary, adding that public spaces must not be cordoned off under political guise.
“Furthermore, the 1999 Constitution (as amended) guarantees freedom of association and assembly. Thus, nothing should be seen to detract from these rights in this or future rallies by any group whatsoever. For emphasis, political participation should be voluntary and without any attempt to deny the people access to markets or other public spaces where they earn their daily living,” the state cautioned.
The government urged residents and traders to ignore any closure directives and go about their normal businesses on Saturday, reiterating that security and regulatory agencies had been briefed to monitor compliance across the capital.
“Therefore, members of the public, particularly leadership of various markets in the state, should take note, please, as government will not hesitate to impose sanctions on any action to the contrary,” the statement concluded.
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