Onitsha Bridge-Head Traders Threaten Lawsuit Over Alleged Caretaker Imposition

From Mokwugwo Solomon, Awka

Traders in the popular Bridge Head Drug Market in Onitsha, Anambra State, has asked Governor Charles Soludo to permit them to elect their leaders as against the existing caretaker committee allegedly imposed by the state government on the market.

The traders, in a statement made available to newsmen in Onitsha, under the aegis of Concerned People of Ogbogu (CPO), on Wednesday, September 13, said that the management of drug markets in Nigeria is under the exclusive list of the federal government, and that the Onitsha drug market is not an exception.

The statement signed by Emmanuel Ozoemenam, as the National Coordinator of the group, with Osita Sopuluchukwu and Ozioma Okeke, representing Lines Secretaries and Chairmen respectively, said that the traders had, in May, 2023, written to Governor Charles Soludo, telling him of the concerns of the traders in the market; but that the governor gave them no reply.

The traders warned that if within a reasonable time frame the state government refused to permit them elect the market leadership themselves, they would be left with no option than to go to court to oust the existing caretaker leadership.

The statement added, "In 2020, during the regime of Governor Willie Obiano, the Bridge Head Drug Market obtained court judgement restraining the state government from appointing caretaker leadership in the market on the ground that the market should be controlled by the federal government through the federal Ministry of Health.

"The traders, by this statement, are also calling on Governor Charles Soludo, to allow traders in the market to organize election and elect their own leaders; because, the market is under the exclusive list, and Anambra state does not have the authority to appoint caretaker leadership in the market.

"Governor Soludo is, by this statement reminded that when he came to power, he appointed caretaker leadership in the Bridge Head Drug Market, and promised that election would be organized in the market within one year. One year has come and gone, but nothing happened.

"What we owe the state is the IGR accruing from the market, and we always remit same to the state coffers."

"Therefore, if within a reasonable time frame the Anambra government insisted in not allowing us organize election in our market, we'll be left with not option than to drag the state to count."

Efforts made to contact Governor Soludo through his Special Assistant on Markets, Everistus Uba, was not successful, as the governor's aide did not take his calls.