RAYMOND OZOJI reports
Anambra market stakeholders led by Mr. Oliver Nwachukwu has accused the Executive Chairman of Nnewi-North Local Government Area of the state, Hon. Echezona Anazodo of working against Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo's reelection.
Nwachukwu who spoke to newsmen after a fact-finding mission regarding obnoxious taxes and levies imposed on Agboedo market traders (F-line) Nnewi by the Mayor and his errand boys, maintained that the Chairman of the Local Government is pitching the traders against the governor through such illegal collections in the market which he described as counterproductive.
Nwachukwu stated that Agboedo market traders are law-abiding citizens and paid statutory levies as approved by the state government but will not succumb or be compelled to pay monies subtly designed as conduits to enrich the Chairman's private pockets and those of his cronies.
He said that the traders condemned in very strong terms the extortions and harassments unleashed on Agboedo United Market (F-line) Nnewi by the council authority, stressing that the traders would resist any attempt to enslave them.
According to a petition to Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo dated 9th May 2025, Mr. Nwachukwu, the state chairman of Anambra Market Stakeholders alleged that the Local Government Chairman has been collecting illegal levies from traders, to the tune of ₦20,000, which he said was not only unlawful but also detrimental to the livelihood of the traders in the market.
Mr. Nwachukwu however expressed concern that the actions of the local government Chairman and his cohorts are undermining Governor Chukwuma Soludo's efforts to develop Anambra state and generate revenue.
He therefore emphasized that the governor's hard-earned reputation is being dragged to the mud by the Chairman's actions which he said are extortionist, oppressive and slavish.
Mr. Nwachukwu further emphasized that its rather unfortunate that their findings clearly shows that the Chairman is working against the interest of returning the governor for a second term in office by putting him against the traders in Agboedo Market F Line Nnewi.
The Anambra Market Stakeholders also condemned the directive by the Local Government Chairman that rice traders in the market must pay ₦5 million, while shops they are in, will be destroyed for them to rebuild the shops, with the threat of additional levies if the amount is not sufficient to build the shops in the market.
Mr. Nwachukwu who described the Chairman's position as despotic and dictatorial, maintained that his decisions and actions are contrary to the Anambra Market law which he said stipulates that the government is responsible for building markets and allocating shops which is happening in other local governments and wondered why Nnewi North is different.
Mr. Nwachukwu therefore called on Governor Soludo to intervene in the matter, stressing that the traders are suffering under the weight of this extortion and harassment. He advised the traders to remain calm, assuring them that the governor would look into the matter and ensure that those responsible for the extortion are brought to book.
Continuing, the Anambra Market Stakeholders warned that if the extortion continues, there may be a mass voter protest during the upcoming elections. Mr. Nwachukwu however emphasized that the stakeholders have a significant followership and membership across Anambra State markets and would not sit idle while their members are subjected to extortions.
He said " let it be on record that we can't allow what is happening in Agboedo Market F Line Nnewi to stand because if the local government authorities want to know how many shops are there in the market, they should go ahead and do that, instead of tagging it revalidation of shops or whatever they call it.
I want the governor to take note that Hon. Echezona Anazodo and some others who are seen as terrorists in Nnewi are threatening the traders and as such setting up the governor for failure, as it's obvious they are working for the opposition and to inflict pain on traders in the market.
It's however pertinent that the governor acts now by stopping these shenanigans to avoid voter apathy by these traders."
The Anambra Market Stakeholders therefore urged Governor Soludo to take immediate action to address the extortion and harassment in Agboedo Market. They believe that his intervention will bring relief to the traders and stakeholders of the market.
Meanwhile, a trader in the market Mrs. Ogochukwu Agbasi, said the extortion in the market is truly frustrating traders in the market and called on the governor to intervene before the traders lose trust in his government.
Other traders in the market, who for fear of victimization refused to be named, stationed at the rice section of the market, who are also facing erosion crisis that has affected their shops, bemoaned the harassment by the Chairman and his daredevil errand boys who have imposed on them the task to pay 5 Million and also destroy their shops.
They said " We are calling on Governor Soludo to appeal to the federal government for aid in addressing the erosion issue threatening their market and to also intervene before shylocks from the local government who are bent on making them suffer, force them to lose their trust and confidence in his government."
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