Mbah Reaffirms Business-Friendly Policy, Warns Against Market Closure for Political Rallies
The Enugu State Government has reiterated its commitment to sustaining a thriving business environment, warning market leaders against any attempt to shut down markets in the state capital in support of political rallies ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The government said it had received reports of an alleged plan by some market leaders to close major markets on Saturday as a show of solidarity during a rally in support of the re-election of Governor Peter Mbah and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. However, it stressed that such action runs contrary to the administration’s economic growth agenda and does not enjoy government approval.
The position was made known in a statement issued on Friday by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dr. Malachy Agbo, who emphasized that residents and traders should freely go about their lawful businesses without disruption.
According to Agbo, the Mbah administration remains focused on creating a conducive atmosphere for commerce and investment, recalling that one of its earliest policy decisions was the effective abolition of the illegal Monday sit-at-home order on June 5, 2023, to restore economic activities across the state.
“While the government appreciates the goodwill and support being shown by traders and other groups, any attempt to shut down markets on account of political rallies is unacceptable and inconsistent with our vision of positioning Enugu as a preferred destination for investment, business, tourism and living,” Agbo stated.
He added that the Constitution guarantees citizens the right to freedom of association and assembly, noting that participation in political activities should remain voluntary and must not interfere with the rights of others to pursue their daily livelihoods.
Reacting to the development, a trader and business owner at Ogbete Main Market, Mr. Chinedu Okafor, commended the government’s stance, saying, “Markets are primarily for business. People can support any political cause they believe in, but traders should not be compelled to sacrifice a day’s income because of political activities.”
Similarly, the President of the Enugu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chief Ugochukwu Nwankwo, described the directive as a positive signal to investors and the business community. “The consistency of government policies aimed at protecting productivity and economic activities is encouraging. Every lost business day has implications for growth, and preserving uninterrupted commerce should remain a priority,” he said.
The government further warned that political participation must never involve coercion or denial of access to markets and other public spaces, stressing that sanctions would be imposed on any market leadership or group found violating the directive.
The position of the government is contained in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dr. Malachy Agbo, and made available to journalists in Enugu on Friday.
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