Government Warns Against Market Closures for Political Rallies
The Enugu State government has issued a warning to market leaders, forbidding them from closing major markets in the state capital as a means to mobilize traders for political rallies aimed at supporting President Bola Tinubu and Governor Peter Mba. Officials have stated that any such actions will be met with strict sanctions against violators.
This warning comes in response to reports that some executives of market associations were planning to shut down operations to encourage participation in a solidarity rally organized by the Enugu East Senatorial District. The rally seeks to bolster support for the re-election campaigns of Tinubu and Mba ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The state government has explicitly separated itself from the proposed market closures. In a statement released on Friday by Dr. Malachy Agbo, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, the administration emphasized that such measures contradict the state’s economic policies designed to promote uninterrupted commercial activities.
Dr. Agbo acknowledged the support of the traders but made it clear that actions threatening economic stability or infringing on individual rights would not be tolerated. He stated, “The attention of the Enugu State Government has been drawn to the purported plan to shut down markets in the state capital, which undermines the economic landscape and the well-being of the community.”
He further explained that shutting down the markets would jeopardize the administration’s vision to enhance the state’s economy, aiming to elevate its value from $4.4 billion to $30 billion and establishing Enugu as a prime destination for investment, business, tourism, and sustainable livelihoods.
The government also reminded political actors and market leaders that involvement in political activities should remain a personal choice, as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution. The document guarantees the freedoms of association and assembly, which must be upheld without hindering individuals’ access to markets and public spaces essential for their livelihoods.
In light of these developments, the state government has urged traders and residents to disregard any directives that call for market closures and to continue their legal activities as usual. Security agencies and regulatory bodies have been alerted to ensure compliance throughout the state capital, with a firm reminder that any violations of this directive will result in immediate sanctions.
