"Soludo, Show Me The Law": Anambra Traders Storm the Street Over Forced Shop Opening and Gov. Soludo's New Mandate

​"Soludo, Show Me The Law": Anambra Traders Storm the Streets Over Forced Shop Openings and Gov. Soludo’s New Mandate

​Anambra State is currently on edge as hundreds of traders and citizens have taken to the streets to protest against Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s recent order mandating that all shops and businesses must remain open on Mondays. While the Governor intends to break the long-standing "Sit-at-Home" trend to revive the state’s economy, the move has met stiff resistance from those who feel their fundamental rights are being stepped on. 

There are numerous videos currently circulating from the protest scenes in Onitsha and other parts of the state, and while the atmosphere is charged with various chants, one specific video has captured the core of the frustration where protesters are heard boldly shouting, "Soludo, show me the law!" More so, the protests aren't just about business hours; they are deeply tied to the socio-political climate of the South East, with numerous videos showing protesters chanting that "Nnamdi Kanu is another savior" and expressing a defiant "We no go gree" attitude against the government's directive.

​The Big Question: Does the Law have the power to force a business owner to open his shop against his will?

This is the central issue that has turned a simple policy into a constitutional debate, as many wonder if a Governor has the legal right to force a private citizen to open their shop in a normal setting. While Section 43 of the Constitution protects property ownership, the deeper argument lies in the protection of personal autonomy and choice. Specifically, Section 34 of the Constitution guarantees the Right to Dignity and freedom from forced labour, meaning no one can be compelled to work or open their shop against their will. Furthermore, Section 35 protects Personal Liberty against arbitrary interference in private life, while Section 38 ensures Freedom of Thought and Conscience, which protects a trader's right to choose their days of rest or observance. By asking Soludo to "show the law," the traders are effectively questioning if this mandate violates these protections, as Section 41 and others in Chapter IV support general personal freedoms that should prevent a Governor from dictating the operational hours of a self-employed individual.

​However, Governor Soludo has maintained that the Monday Sit-at-Home has crippled Anambra's economy, leading to billions in lost revenue, and argues that the state must move forward for the collective good. More so, the traders remain caught between a rock and a hard place, as they argue the government has not provided enough security to protect them from the enforcement of the sit-at-home by non-state actors, making the Governor's mandate feel like a choice between legal penalties and physical safety.