…Gives Gov Obiano 14-day ultimatum To Resolve Leadership Vacuum
Traders under the aegis of Onitsha Drug Market Traders, Anambra State at the International Drug Market Onitsha popularly known as (Ogbogwu), has given Gov. Willie Obiano, a 14-day ultimatum to conduct an election for a new leadership ahead of the governor-elect, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo’s inauguration.
Over 210 traders stormed the State Secretariat, Awka, for the self-help protest.
The inauguration of Soludo, as the next governor of Anambra state, is expected to hold on March 17, 2022.
Mr Leo Ezievuo, who led the traders in a peaceful protest in Awka on Tuesday, appealed to the governor to listen to their pleas, noting that the drug market is peaceful and devoid of violence for the peaceful conduct of the election.
He appealed also to the governor-elect to talk to Obiano, to do the needful by forming a new leadership at the Drug section of the Onitsha market, to complement his agenda for Anambra people.
He also appealed for the intervention of the State Commissioner for Trade, Commerce, Market and Wealth Creation, Hon. Uchenna Okafor to enable them to elect their preferred leaders.
Ezievuo said that an election was needed as traders have prepared and were ready to elect their leaders.
According to him, those who are protesting against the election have no stake in the market and were sponsored by those who felt that the election might not favour them if conducted.
The market leader, who frowned at the none conduct of the election on the stipulated date, noted that some people indulged in fabricating all manners of lies against the Commissioner, Caretaker Chairman of the Ogbogwu Market and traders in general.
He dismissed the allegations of violence and infighting in the market saying those peddling the lies were mischief making miscreants.
”We assure that our market is peaceful, and it is verifiable. We are tired of caretaker leadership. Traders want to elect their leaders by themselves. People who are protesting against the election are unknown to the Market Union and entire traders. They are hired thugs.
“We campaigned for the in-coming Governor of Anambra State when he visited Bridge-Head Market during the election campaign which he emerged winner with our votes and support.
Responding, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Wealth Creation, Barrister Ike Samuel Chinedu, who spoke on behalf of his Commissioner, Hon Uche Okafor, promised to conduct the election in no distance time.
He assure them that their demands will be made known to the governor as soon as possible.