…..Flay Obiano for destroying markets to install kinsmen.
The Stakerhokders Onitsha Drug Market, Bridgehead, has rejected in unmistakable term the betrayal of traders of the Market by Anambra State Government which set up Caretaker Committee, instead of conducting an inclusive election they have been preparing since last year.
The group after their emergency meeting unanimously rejected the imposition of undemocratic executives on the market by the Governor to please his Omanbala peoople.
In the statement signed by the leader of the Stakerhokders Godwin Chukwukadibia and Nze Chukwunonye Ajamma said that, it was pathetic that the Government of Obiano has turned the market into private enterprise of Nando community in Anambra North Local Government Area of the State.
They said that the chairman of the present Caretaker Chief Ajanma hails from Nando, the same community with his predecessor Chikelue.
Describing the appointment as a clear infringement of the constitution of the market , the group accused Governor Obiano of hiding under the cloak of Covid-19 to pepetuate this act of illegality in order to install his kinsman as he did in Onitsha Main Market where he installed his immediate inlaw with several other markets in the State.
” The Governor behaves as if he is not a product of democracy,. He has not allowed democracy to be internalised and deepened in the markets.
The continous installation of Caretaker Committees in different markets in the state is a clear indication that he is aversed to democracy even though he became a Governor through democratic process” they said.
The Stakerhokders argued that if INEC is conducting election in Edo and Ondo States , there is no reason why election cannot be conducted in markets in Anambra State, saying that State Government used Covid-19 as an alibi to install People from Anambra North Senatorial zone in the market.
The Stakerhokders asked Governor Willie Obiano to immediately reverse the Caretaker Committee and conduct an all inclusive election, where members of the market would be given opportunity to vote and be voted for.
They expressed shock that Governor Obiano was afraid of Covid-19 but he could not provide ordinary face masks and testing centres for the citizens in the State.
“He should reverse the Caretaker Committee within next 14 days of publication of this story or face massive protest by the traders of Drug market” said the group.
The group also called on the Governor to conduct election for the umbrella Market body in the State on the platform of AMATAS.
“He should have the political will to allow traders to conduct election in their markets .
He should return AMATAS the only valid cum legitimate umbrella body of traders in the State to organise credible election in Anambra markets” they warned.
