Following the controversy surrounding the closure of the Onitsha Main Market for one week and the subsequent protest by traders over the Monday sit-at-home order, the former National Vice Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Chief Innocent Okeke, has proffered solutions aimed at ending the sit-at-home and allowing residents to go about their lawful businesses freely, without delay or molestation.
Okeke, in a statement he personally signed and made available to the press, noted that the ongoing Monday sit-at-home in Onitsha, Southeast Nigeria, has become a recurring issue with no clear end in sight. While some may advocate the use of force to suppress the situation, he warned that such an approach would only worsen the crisis.
According to him, effective leadership rooted in dialogue and understanding remains the most viable path to resolution.
He observed that, unlike the situation in the Southeast, leaders in other regions of the country often engage agitators through dialogue rather than confrontation. They convene meetings with elders and key stakeholders, listen attentively to grievances, and work collectively toward sustainable solutions. In the same vein, leaders in Northern Nigeria, he said, place a high premium on consensus-building and inclusive governance.
“Unfortunately, in the East, some leaders appear to have adopted a more autocratic approach, prioritizing power over the welfare of the people. The recent standoff between Governor Charles Soludo and the Onitsha Main Market leadership is a clear example. Conflicting directives have left ordinary citizens caught in the middle,
bearing the brunt of the crisis,” he stated.
Okeke emphasized that true leadership is anchored on humility and service to the people. Leaders who prioritize the needs of the populace are more inclined to listen, adapt, and lead effectively. He referenced the biblical account of Pilate and Jesus, noting how Pilate chose to heed the will of the people rather than rigidly asserting authority.
He called for the convening of an all-inclusive Southeast Political Summit or Elders’ Forum to address the region’s pressing challenges. Okeke urged Governor Soludo to adopt a more conciliatory posture by engaging relevant stakeholders to understand their concerns and find common ground.
“The people of Onitsha are not disobedient; they are reacting to circumstances beyond their control. Security solutions, not just economic activities, should be given priority,” he added.
He concluded by urging all parties to embrace dialogue over force, understanding over ego, and people over power, stressing that only through such an approach can the Monday sit-at-home crisis in Onitsha be resolved and a brighter future secured for the Southeast.
