Confusion, disarray in some Anambra markets over dissolution of leadership
Many more reactions have continued trailed the dissolution of Prince Charles Ikegwuonu led caretaker committee leadership of Grain Seed Dealers Association (GSDA) and market, Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area (LGA), Anambra State by Governor Charles Soludo.
Soludo had through a statement signed by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr Obinna Ngonadi, dissolved all the caretaker leadership constituted for 30 markets in the state and two recently elected markets leaders under the administration of former governor Willie Obiano.
The government in the statement dated April 28, explained that the decision was aimed at revamping the markets, adding that new caretaker committees would be appointed to replace them respectively from May 12, 2022 till around March or May 2023 which it had planned to conduct elections, but this brought confusions and disarray in some markets as some has passed vote of no confidence to Soludo administration.
Meanwhile some stakeholders at GSDA welcomed the development, and prayed the governor to quickly fill the vacant offices for effective administration of their markets, while others kicked, and implored the government to retain the existing caretaker till next year it has slated to conduct an election.
According to them, their market is initially in peaceful environment expect oppositions who want to be on top and there by trying to expose their Market to danger.
The unholy romance with their sweat cannot be tolerated as their Market cannot be used for any kind of inordinate quest for leadership or any kind of tussle,
“We fight and voted this Governor Soludo administration and we can’t be here waiting for him to use political jobbers to destroyed the peaceful atmosphere of the market, as government who had been piloting the affairs of markets in the state is the same APGA government, so let government make a due consultation with both state holders and board of the trusses in the state body guiding the whole market in the twenty one local government of the state,” they said..
An octogenarian, Mrs Josephine Obioma Chukwu and about 35 other stakeholders at a meeting held in the market, passed a confidence vote on Ikegwuonu led committee, arguing that their tenure should be extended to enable them complete what they described as their good works.
The chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of Grain Seed Dealers Association, Ichie Sir Marcel Okpala, during the meeting added that Prince Ikegwuonu had since his appointment on May 2, 2021 entrenched peace and strengthened their unity, increased their revenue generations, as well as provided them with various infrastructural developments.
On his part, Mr Damian Nwana assured the state government of unflinching support of the market to his administration, even as the government was free to investigate them if in doubt of their loyalty.
Prince Charles Ikegwuonu, had during the meeting which he said was convoked to inform the market that his committee had been dissolved, thanked the Anambra State government for an opportunity given to him and his executive to serve, assuring that he would do more if retained.
However, the immediate past chairman of the market, Mr Godwin Okonkwo, said they would welcome an entirely new caretaker leadership as Ikegwuonu committee remained dissolved for reasons best known to the government.
Also a petition addressed to the commissioner for Commerce and Industry, and signed by three former executive leaders of the market, Mr Chuks Chukwu, Chima Ezenduka and Thomas Egbe, hailed the dissolution, as that is intention of the Commerce boss for the market
Corroborating the petition, two former executives of the market, Mr Joseph Oguh and Mr Venatus Okolie alleged that only the friend of the embattled Ikegwuonu were in support of his retention, because according to them, majority believed he had no business of leading them again since his administration did not strictly adhered to their constitution. (Daily Independent)
