Soludo’s Blockade of Onitsha Economy Branded ‘War Declaration’ Against Igbo People

By our Correspondent

A United States–based organization, the Rising Sun Foundation, in collaboration with the Global Coalition for the Restoration of Biafra, has issued a stern warning to Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Soludo, over the continued blockade of Onitsha’s commercial district, describing the action as a betrayal of the Igbo people.

In a statement released on Tuesday and signed by Dr. Maxwell Dede, who represents the Rising Sun Foundation in the United States, the group denounced the blockade as “tyrannical” and accused the governor of reneging on earlier commitments to champion an inclusive dialogue on the future of the Igbo people within or outside Nigeria.
The statement recalled that four years ago, Governor Soludo allegedly sought the support of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and aligned himself with the aspirations of millions of Igbo people by publicly pledging to facilitate a broad-based dialogue on their collective future. According to the foundation, his current actions amount to the persecution of the very people and ideals that aided his rise to office.
The organization further faulted the deployment of largely non-Igbo military and police personnel to restrict access to key economic routes in Onitsha, describing the measure as characteristic of authoritarian rule rather than democratic leadership.
It maintained that the situation in Onitsha was not caused by disobedience on the part of traders but stemmed from what it described as administrative failure and an excessive display of executive power.
According to the foundation, the blockade is choking the economic lifeline of the people and undermining the fragile peace the state government claims to be safeguarding.
The group also criticized Governor Soludo’s perceived silence or complacency regarding the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu by the Federal Government, asserting that it portrays him as a leader driven by political convenience rather than principle.
The Rising Sun Foundation warned that any harm to peaceful protesters or traders lawfully asserting their rights would be regarded as a direct declaration of war against the Igbo people and their fundamental human rights, stressing that responsibility for any bloodshed would rest squarely on the governor.
It added that the Anambra State Government, particularly the Government House in Awka, should be held accountable for any breakdown of law and order, arguing that the blockade itself constituted the initial provocation.
Emphasizing its stance, the group declared that while the Igbo people are peace-loving, they would no longer tolerate violence against their youths, insisting that the era of Igbo leaders colluding in the spilling of Igbo blood must come to an end.
The foundation also revealed plans to begin processes aimed at having Governor Soludo declared persona non grata internationally, citing what it described as serious violations of democratic principles and economic rights.
Calling on the international community, human rights bodies, and the Nigerian Federal Government to intervene, the group demanded the immediate lifting of the blockade on Onitsha, insisting that lasting peace in the South-East can only be achieved through justice, dialogue, and the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, rather than through military checkpoints and economic restrictions.
The statement concluded with a warning to the governor to reconsider his actions, respect the will of the people, and fulfill his past promises, noting that the international community is closely observing developments in Anambra State.