Anambra traders protect govt plan to inaugurate vigilance committee

Traders in the hundreds from the Anambra market staged a protest against plans by the state government to disband the elected market leaders in lieu of an interim committee.

The Nigerian News Agency reports that protesters from the Oseokwuodu (Ose) Market in the market town of Onitsha on Thursday besieged the State Government House, Awka, in protest against the move by Anambra Governor Prof. Charles Soludo, to impose interim leadership. in them.

They said the governor’s action is a clear contravention and abuse of the rights of merchants and market women to elect their leaders, which they had previously done in a free, fair and credible electoral process held on February 3, 2022.

NAN recalls that Soludo said in a statement from the state Trade and Industry Commissioner, Dr Obinna Ngonadi, that the government has dissolved the executives of 30 market unions in the state.

The statement said that Oseokwuodu, Ogbaru Relief Market and others would have their newly elected officials dissolved to pave the way for the constitution of interim committees.

The state government cited affected markets as having flawed electoral processes, claims protesters criticized as evidence of their credibility in electing their current executives.

The protesters said the election that produced the incumbent leadership was duly approved and overseen by state government officials and therefore they should be allowed to serve their term.

NAN reports that the merchants broke into the government house with banners with different inscriptions.

They also called on the governor not to dissolve their leadership, because according to them, the election of their positions was carried out properly.

NAN reports that representatives from the Anambra State Markets and Traders Association (ASMATA) and security agencies attended the protest.

The General Chairman of the Oseokwuodu Market, Mr Anthony Onwuetiaka, deplored the decision of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)-led government to annul the elections that led to the emergence of its executive just three months after taking office. charge without proper consultation with them. .

Onwuetiaka stated that his executive had contacted the Commissioner of Commerce to find out the reasons why his leadership, which was to last three years, would dissolve without any serious reason.

He said that the government, through the Ministry of Commerce and Commerce, informed the agency that there was a petition against his executive when in fact there was not.

According to him, “I requested copies of said petition and the Commissioner was unable to provide any.

“I asked him why? He said that perhaps the aggrieved parties applied directly to the governor.

“That’s why we’re here to tell our governor that we don’t have a problem in the market over the election.

“We also don’t need any interim committee. We are with the government and always ready to discuss and partner,” he said.

The protesters urged the state government to find an amicable solution to the persistent impasse.

The leaders said they remain law-abiding citizens who are willing to follow the path of peace and progress of the new sitting government.

The State Commissioner for National Affairs, Mr Chikodi Anara, who was represented by the Head (Operations) at the Ministry, Dr Samuel Ezenduka, received the protesters.

He assured the protesters that their requests will be duly communicated to the governor for the necessary attention, decisions and positive action.

Ezenduka praised the merchants for their peaceful and orderly conduct in asserting their demands. (NAN)