Traders in Onitsha Main Market today resisted the order by the state government to close the markets in order to welcome Mr. Willie Obiano, candidate of APGA.
The confusion which followed the order marred the proposed visit of the APGA candidate in company Chief Martins Joe-Martins Uzodike, Obiano's Campaign Manager who also doubles as the State Commissioner for Information, Tourism & Culture.
The traders showed visible anger as they marched through the market carrying placards.
They were soon joined by another contingent marching from Ose Okwodu with brooms and before one could say Jack Robinson, bystanders , youngsters and Okada riders joined them chanting songs in favor of the APC candidate , Senator Chris Ngige.
The arrival of the Governor Obi and Obiano did not deter the protesting traders rather bolstered the aggrieved traders
The governor’s entourage was pelted with sachet water bags, prompting a quick retreat to Whitehouse office of the Onitsha Amalgamated Traders Association (OMATA), where the donation of N1m announced by the governor was shouted down with many booing his entourage.
One of the traders explained the reason for their action: ‘ We received an executive order from the government this morning saying that we should not open our shops , of which we felt that the order is not in our best interest’
Mr. Andrew Agbapu,a Trader in Fancy Line said ‘ Every time they will close our business without considering our own interest ’.
Another trader in home appliance line, Mr. Fred Nebedum further explained;’ It is not by force to support a candidate. The worst is that he should come and say what he wants to do and others will also come. But it does not mean we would not open our shops for that? Imagine, my shop have been closed since morning. Is Peter Obi going to feed me? ‘
Mr. Phil Onyia, of Abada line, Williams Street was harsher ‘The truth is that this government is forcing an unpopular candidate; someone who wants to spoil our business by closing market arbitrally for him to come and campaign and that is why we have this problem.
We want Ngige, although we do not say anybody else should not campaign, but they should stop playing with our stomach for politics.’ Onyia fumed.
Governor Peter Obi was reported as saying that political parties will not be allowed to campaign in the markets, a policy sharply criticized by opposing political parties as unlawful.
For him to flout the same law he enacted left the Traders seething and Closing the market against popular wish was the final straw that led to the rebellion
The embarrassed governor together with APGA candidate, Willie Obiano was later seen on foot in Bida Street ,a popular street adjourning the market who were not affected by the executive fiat and they were on their way to inspect the road construction going on in the busy street and some of the traders who have their shops on the street ran out of their shops just to catch a glimpse of the governor and the APGA candidate with some of them Hailing him "Okwute"
It was a sweet sour visit for the Governor and his campaign team in the political conscious market
Credit of part of the report goes to 247report and the photo credit goes to them too
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