Igbo Community Association, FCT, Urges Governor Soludo to Reopen Markets and Avoid Escalation

 Engr Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe
President General, Igbo Community Association FCT 

"Your policies and infrastructural overhaul of Anambra State are second to none, and your pace of development outpaces all former governors without a doubt." The Igbo Community Association of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

.... "However, the voice of the people must be heard and respected. We want harmonious engagement, not brute force." 

Abuja, Nigeria - The Igbo Community Association, of the Federal Capital Territory FCT, on Wednesday 28 January 2026 in Abuja, commended the Governor of Anambra State, Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo for his efforts to address perceived economic sabotage in the state. 

In a statement issued and signed by Engr Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe and Mazi Emmanuel Chinwoke Onah, President General and Secretary General respectively, the Association recognized Governor Soludo's commitment to improving the economic well-being of Anambra State and his notable achievements in infrastructure development and policy implementation.

"We acknowledge Your Excellency's tireless efforts to drive development and progress in Anambra State," the statement read. "Your policies and infrastructural overhaul of Anambra State are second to none, and your pace of development outpaces all former governors without a doubt."

However, the association emphasized that the voice of the people must be heard and respected, urging the governor to reopen markets closed due to protests. The markets, which have been a vital part of the community's economic and social fabric, have been shut down, causing hardship to traders and consumers alike.

"The people want their markets back; they belong to them," the statement read. "The people also want to use the markets to make whatever statements they choose, and as a true son of the soil, you must respect this."

The association noted with concern that the people of Onitsha are already taking to the streets in protest, and the situation is fast escalating. "We are worried that if the markets are not reopened immediately, the protests may lead to a breakdown in security, resulting in injury to innocent citizens and damage to property," the statement warned.

The association emphasized the importance of respecting democratic principles and the rights of citizens to express themselves freely. "As a pan-African leader, you must understand the need for citizens to make protest statements to power," the statement noted.

The Igbo Community Association, FCT, is calling on Governor Soludo to listen to the voices of his people and work towards a peaceful resolution to the current impasse. "We urge Your Excellency to act swiftly to address the concerns of the people and reopen the markets to avoid further escalation," the statement concluded.

"We want harmonious engagement, not brute force," the statement emphasized.