The Enugu State Government has cautioned market leaders against any attempt to shut down markets in the state capital to mobilise support for a planned political rally in honour of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Peter Mbah.
The government said any move to close markets in solidarity with the rally would run contrary to its economic vision and commitment to promoting business activities, investment, and productivity across the state.
The warning was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Malachy Agbo.
According to the government, it had received reports of an alleged plan by some market leaders to shut major markets within Enugu East Senatorial District on Saturday as a show of support during a political rally ahead of the 2027 general election.
“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,” the statement said.
While appreciating the goodwill shown by traders toward the administration, the government stressed that it would not support any action capable of disrupting economic activities.
“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,” Agbo stated.
The commissioner said such a move would be inconsistent with the administration’s drive to grow the state’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion and position Enugu as a preferred destination for investment, business, tourism and quality living.
“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 also to position the state as the preferred destination for investment, business, tourism and living, but also the decision of the administration to ban illegal sit-at-home effective June 5, 2023,” he said.
The government reiterated that political participation remains a constitutional right and should be exercised freely without coercion or interference with the livelihoods of citizens.
“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,” the statement added.
Agbo emphasized that participation in political rallies must remain voluntary and should never involve restricting access to markets or public spaces.
“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,” he said.
The government urged residents and market leaders to take note of its position, warning that sanctions would be imposed on anyone found violating the directive.
“Therefore, members of the public, particularly leaderships 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 commissioner warned.
The statement is a true reflection of Mbah administration’s continued emphasis on uninterrupted economic activities, a policy that has remained central since the enforcement of the ban on the illegal Monday sit-at-home order in June 2023.
