By CHUKS EKE
Traders at the Ogbaru relief market in Ogbaru Local government area of Anambra State, near Onitsha, have disassociated themselves from the alleged treat of protest,and 7-day ultimatum issued to governor Willie Obiano by unidentified group to cancel the market elections held on the January 25,2022 at the Achebe’s sports stadium Fegge,Onitsha South LGA, during which Ndubisi Ochiogu-led 10-man executive were duly elected or face massive protest.
Arising from an emergency meeting of all the line chairmen, Secretaries and Board of Trustees of the market, the traders,described the purported treat and ultimatum given to the government to cancel the peaceful election of the market as the height of irresponsibility and handiwork of the opposition and enemies of the State government.
Speaking through the chairman of all lines chairmen in the market, Mr Chinyelugo Maduka the association said: “We wish to state categorically clear that the purported treat is the handiwork of the opposition and some disgruntled elements who want to hide under the cloak of Ogbaru traders disturbances to cause crisis before,during and after the inauguration of the new governor-elect, Prof Chukwuma Soludo on march 17”.
According to the Chairman, investigation carried out by the traders has also revealed that those behind the press briefing are not traders at Ogbaru relief Market.They were allegedly brought into the State by a certain politician in collaboration with one of the APC defeated candidate at the market elections and who quartered them in an undisclosed hotel in Awka where they operate from.
The trader said the leader of the group who briefed the press in Awka couldn’t even give the accurate name of the chairman of the chairmen.The chairman said his name is Chinyelugo Maduka and not Chinyelugo Anaegbue, as was wrongly quoted by the perpetrators, yet he claims he is representing 203 lines chairmen in the market.
The traders therefore appealed to the ever hardworking Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Maduabrochukwu Obiano (Akpokuo Dike global) and the Honourable commissioner for trade and commerce Hon Uchenna Okafor,all the stakeholders in Ogbaru relief Market to discountenance the alleged treat, even as they described the election as the most free,fair and credible election ever held in the market since inception.
The traders also used the opportunity to alert the security Agencies in the State and all traders in the market to be vigilant and to report any suspicious movement in and around the market to the nearest police stations or market vigilantes for prompt attention.
In his short speech,,the newly elected president of the market, Chief Ndubisi Ochiogu said that the least thing anybody from Ogbau market could do,was to point accusing fingers on the government of Anambra State under his watch.
He assured the traders that they will not allow those who bring in criminals that burnt the market on yearly basis to come back to power to cause mayhem and loot their hard earned wares and money, pointing out that the arsonists have so far sent over two million traders in the market packing since inception.
Ochiogu noted that his administration will ever remain grateful to the Anambra State Government, traders of the market and the BOT for peaceful and smooth conduct of the election, which he said was adjudged the most peaceful in the market elections in the recent time in Anambra State.
He assured the State government and traders of their unflinching support, loyalty and commitment to sustain the adequate security of lives and properties of the traders and that of the government in the market,warning that his administration will not take kindly with anybody or group found wanting in and around the market.
