Traders at the New Auto Spare parts Dealers Market Nkpor, near Onitsha, Anambra State, yesterday, embarked upon peaceful protest over an Idemili High Court order restraining the newly elected leadership of the market from piloting the affairs of the market pending the determination of the substantive suit.
The protest which was a spontaneous one was carried out shortly after the end of their weekly prayer session in the market.
Some of the protesting traders carried placards that read, “Gov. Willie Obiano please come to our rescue, few people want to impose leadership on the traders, allow the elected leadership of the market to pilot the affairs of the market and this is a democratic era when people elect their leaders”.
Speaking during the protest, a trader in the market, Chief Eugene Nwajiobi said, “some group of people with their own selfish interest came into the market to disorganize the market which God gave to us”.
“We are not happy, we don’t know the devil that came to our market and caused trouble. Governor Willie Obiano should come to our rescue because government knew we conducted election and the man of the people won”.
“There are two groups now in the market, one says the elected executive that was brought out by majority of the traders will not rule and the other is the one that says the elected executive will rule.
Those that said the elected will not rule took the elected to the court and since then the market has been in disarray . we pray God to restore the heart of those few people who don’t want the new executive to rule,” he posited.
Another trader, Thomas Amaechina Ochendo, said “Every time we run away from our shops and today we want to beg for peace to reign in our market.”
Sine 19th January 2016 when we had the election they did not allow the new leadership to pilot the affairs of the traders, for many years when the late chairman, Nweke was in power, there was no problem in the market.
In his contribution, Festus Obi Obison called for peace in the market and recalled that the reign of the former chairman, late Nweke, the traders were happy.
He said, “it is unfortunate that this thing is happening at a time we have hardship in the country. We pray God to rescue us by ensuring peace”,
It would be recalled that an Idemili high court presided over by Hon.justice V.H Agbata gave a ruling restraining the newly elected leadership of the market from piloting the affairs of the market pending the determination of the substantive suit which he said would be given accelerated hearing.