From Mokwugwo Solomon, Awka

In its bid to ensure smooth transition to a new government that will commence with the inauguration of the governor-elect, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo come 17th May, 2022, as the executive governor of Anambra state, the state Commissioner for Trade, Commerce, Markets and Wealth Creation, Hon. Uchenna Okafor, on 7th February, 2022, suspended all market elections in the state; even as a pressure group, Integrity Group, faults such suspension, describing it as a ploy to cover up of atrocities perpetrated by the under the outgoing administration.

The commissioner had, in a letter he signed by himself, dated 7th February, 2022, titled, "Suspension Of All Pending Market Elections", said the suspension became necessary in view of the need to ensure peaceful atmosphere in the state within this period of transition.

His words: "Due to high level of political awareness in Anambra State, market union election in Anambra is a very serious exercise. The polity is always heated up during major market elections.

"Because of this prevailing historical political polity, the ministry became worried on the proposed market union elections within the last moment of the transition.

"Recall that market union and town union elections were cancelled prior to governorship election in 2021. While the ban on town union election was lifted in December, 2021, market union election was lifted in January because, traders don't conduct election during Christmas season."

As a result of this, all market elections were shifted to the first quarter of 2022, thereby, pilling so much pressure on the ministry and the political environment.

"Our worry is that it's not necessary to face this heated political environment and intrigues in the last minutes of the transition process. The ministry reviewed the situation and came out with the conclusion that general interest of the state is paramount. The election is likely to pose a major distraction.

"So, on this note, all the proposed elections of market unions, zones, units and lines in Anambra State are hereby postponed till any date that may be decided by different market unions beyond March, 2022.

"Market unions are advised to meet and choose beyond March, 2022. All markets are to maintain status quo to ensure noiseless and peaceful tray process."

The letter was copied to the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Echeng Echeng; State Director of DSS and the Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Hon C. Don Adinuba.

But in a swift reaction, chairman of Integrity Group that comprise of representatives of all markets in the state, Mr. Obinna Madu, said "suspension of all market elections was a ploy by the commissioner to cover up bulk money he collected from market leaders he imposed on the traders, either as elected or caretaker executives."

He queried: "How could he issue a letter to traders banning conduct of market elections from 7th February 2022, but on the 8th of February, he conducted election for traders at Ose Market? Who is fooling who?

"It is also criminal for the Commissioner to impose leaders on traders like he did at the recently held election at Ogbaru Main Market, where two out of three chairmanship candidates boycotted the election because of illegality; and one of the candidates beaten up, and his clothes torn, and at the end of the day, a native doctor was declared winner because he was anointed candidate of the commissioner, who used money to pave his way?"

The Integrity Group chairman, who was flanked by his secretary, Mr. Onyeka Udeogalanya, added that "at Ochanja Market, the commissioner imposed his brother as a caretaker committee chairman, and the election which is billed for March 3, 2022, will no longer hold going by the commissioner's letter, so that his brother will stay longer before election will be conducted there.

"This same brother will be used in the commissioner's preparation for the House of Representatives, which he is eyeing."

The integrity group chairman also frowned at the present situation in the markets where the rich now bribe the ministry to impose candidate of their choice on the traders.

He warned that if this trend is not checkmated, the markets will be bastardized by the rich.