Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Some traders in Onitsha, Anambra State have demanded sack of President General of Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders’ Association (ASMATA), Chief Humphrey Anuna, and Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Markets, Hon. Evarist Uba.
The traders also called for the dissolution of the caretaker committees in the entire markets and holding of fresh election.
Addressing newsmen at Ochanja Central market, a chieftain, Chief Onyeahuru Okeha, said the traders would only throw their weight behind the reelection of Governor Chukwuma Soludo if the duo were removed from office and fresh elections conducted in the markets.
He alleged that the Anuna and Uba have not been telling the governor the true position of traders, especially with respect to both market election and that of governorship poll in the state.
He said, “I want to use this opportunity to tell our amiable Governor that all is not well in the markets in the state because the traders have been expecting the conduct of election in all the markets but it’s like those representing us, ASMATA PG and Hon. Uba, are not telling you the governor the truth.
“As a product of democracy the governor should know that caretaker committees cannot represent the interest of government and traders more than the elected executives who stay for four years.
“Because of what the duo of PG and Uba benefit in the caretaker Committee, they keep on telling the governor that all is well.
“I have as a market leader attended several meetings at the ASMATA secretariat, Modebe Road, where the PG will be presiding over the meetings for hours without any reasonable takehome as what one learnt from the meetings.
“If you ask questions on government plan to conduct election in the markets you become his greatest enemy and your name listed in his bad book which he forwards to Uba, for necessary action against you as the duo collaborate and do not want any obstacle.
“The governor should as a matter of urgency, sack the duo who have continued to benefit from the caretaker committees knowing that elected executives will not tolerate them. The governor’s greatest mistake is appointment of the two to head traders because they have continued to milk the traders.
“Any neglect to such conditions will obviously amount to traders in the state voting for another party candidate to replace him in the next gubernatorial election in the state.
“It is only when they are sacked and election conducted in the markets that we will vote for Soludo’s second tenure,” he warned.
Another market leader at Onitsha Main Market, Mathew Merem, told Ikengaonline that traders are at the mercy of ASMATA PG and Hon. Uba, alleging that the two were only interested in what they would benefit from the traders and not what traders would benefit from them.
“In the first place, Uba is not a trader but a manufacturer of foams. I have severally heard him in public function saying he is part and parcel of traders. It is false, if he is a trader he should not be milking us.
“I am sure he has not for one day told the governor the need for conduct of market election but rather he will pretend that the traders prefer caretaker to elected executives so that himself and the PG will continue to use us as slaves.
“Let governor Soludo know it now that if he doesn’t sack them and conduct market election that we will not vote for his second tenure. At ASMATA most of the executives no longer attend meetings because the PG sees them as enemies for saying the truth. As I talk to you now some have been suspended and the governor is not aware.
“Their suspension is a planned deal between the PG and the aide, Uba. Funny enough, in most of the outings by the PG, you hardly see his executives with him because he wants to eat alone. Unless Soludo comes to the rescue by sacking the two heads, we will not vote for his second tenure,” he vowed.
At Anaedo market, Nnewi, Chief Madu Osisioma, vowed that he will not attend ASMATA weekly meeting again since the PG uses it to accuse perceived enemies of one thing or another adding that such intimidation must stop.
He said: “Since we started this meeting, it is always attack on the traders by the PG without cause; just that he feels you are not supporting whatever he says. At the end of any meeting no tangible thing will be taken home as what you learnt.
“He even collects lateness fine from us without excuse and failure to pay means you are disobedient and your name put in the bad book for reference and suspension. You don’t talk of conduct of market election if you want to play safe.
“I Plead with Governor Soludo to kindly sack the two heads for us to vote for him because since they came in it has been one problem or another. They always want to control your market when you are there as chairman and the funny thing is that the traders will always believe you as chairman that you are extorting them not knowing that you are saving them from being used,” he disclosed.
