Traders of Onitsha Main Market under the aegis of Zone 3 Stakeholders, comprising of all chairmen and secretaries of Zone 3 of Main Market, Onitsha, last weekend, protested inside the market, kicking against a proposed reappointment of one Chief Robinson Ezebunanwa, a two-time caretaker chairman of Zone 3, to continue in that position.
They carried placards with inscriptions: “Onitsha Main Market traders say no to re-apointment of Robinson Ezebunanwa,” “Robinson Ezebunanwa is one of the problems of Onitsha Main Market “Gov. Soludo, withdraw Robinson Ezebunanwa; he is part of problems of our market,” among others.
The stakeholders, who spoke through their leaders, Chief Obinna Nduakor, Goodluck Offor and Mrs Monica Maduka, (Woman leader of Zone 3) noted that they embarked on the protest to alert state government on the need for it to carry majority of the traders along in appointments.
While commending Gov Soludo on his policies on markets in the state, they appealed to him not to retain any member of old caretaker executives, who were among those sacked by the state; rather, it should appoint fresh people to inject new ideas into the market.
On Chief Robinson Ezebunanwa, they stated that the man has been one of the problems of the market, as indicated by history. They insisted that the traders don’t want Ezebunanwa to be there.
They insisted that the man has over stayed; and is part of impunities committed during the past regime, and should be avoided by any decent administration.
“We, the Zone 3 stakeholders, are urging the governor to withdraw Ezebunanwa. The entire Zone 3 traders and, infact, the entire Main Market traders, have rejected him.
“We are aware that he has been going about bribing some key government appointees. This man has been caretaker chairman of London Line for 25 years, without election and functional executive. Gov Soludo should withdraw him for peace to raign; as traders will not cooperate with his leadership,” they added.
By: IFEANYI Okonkwo
