The President-General of the Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders’ Association (ASMATA), Chief Humphrey Anuna, has directed executives of four markets in Onitsha South Local Government Area to disregard an alleged order asking them to vacate office, describing the move as unauthorized.
The directive follows reports that a group allegedly stormed Iweka Electronics Market, Ozomagana Building Materials Market, Provision Ochanja Market and Ezemekwe Building Materials Market, announcing the removal of the existing market executives and declaring plans to assume leadership.
Reacting to the development, Chief Anuna said ASMATA had not received any official complaint or authorised any leadership change in the affected markets.
He urged the executives to formally report the incident to the ASMATA Secretariat for appropriate action, stressing that no individual or group has the authority to remove duly constituted market leaders without due process.
The ASMATA President-General warned that anyone attempting to disrupt the peace in Anambra markets would be identified and exposed as a saboteur working against the state’s efforts to maintain stability in the trading environment.
He noted that markets across the state have remained peaceful under the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo and assured traders that ASMATA would take necessary steps to address any unlawful actions.
Meanwhile, a trader at Modebe Estate Shopping Plaza, Mr. Kenneth Okafor, condemned the alleged takeover attempt, questioning the legitimacy of those behind the action.
He appealed to the Anambra State Government to prevent unauthorized groups from interfering in market administration and to sustain the prevailing peace and order in the state’s markets.
