By Praise Chinecherem
The crisis rocking Ose Okwodu market in Onitsha, Anambra State has taken another twist as some stakeholders in the market have pledged their loyalty to the Caretaker Committee Chairman, Chief Ikechukwu Umeanozie.
This is coming at the heels of calls by a section of leaders in the market few weeks ago, asking Governor Chukwuma Soludo to reinstate all the dissolved elected market whose tenure have not expired.
Some of the market they were referring to include Ose Okwodu, Ogbaru Main market, Bridgehead market and Electronics Dealers Association, Onitsha, market.
But Chief Chief Fidelis Arazu, who was the chairman of Zone Four of the Ose Okwodu market said that contrary to some mischief makers who are bent in clinging to the market leadership, there is no problem in Ose Okwodu market.
He lamented that there are people who want to cause problem in the market by giving impression that there is crisis in Ose Okwodu.
” Ose Okwodu is known for peace but some have been going about causing trouble. They will not succeed.
“Contrary to their plot, the Caretaker Committee Chairman, Chief Ikechukwu Umeanozie, is best leader the market has had in recent time,” he noted.
According to Arazu, the constitution of Zone Four stipulates four years tenure which Okechukwu Chukwuemeka had completed.
A patron of the market, Chief John Uzonna said Chief Umeanozie is the best market leader they have seen so far, saying that he (Umeanozie) was given money to destabilize the Ose Okwodu drug market but he turned it down.
He also lauded the Caretaker Committee Chairman, saying the traders were happy with the way he had been piloting the affairs of the market.
Also speaking, former Vice Chairman, Zone Four and Chairman of Ose Drug Market, Stanley Uche, said the traders have no problem with the current Caretaker Committee led by Chief Umeanozie.
“Umeanozie is a good man. He is God sent. We thank Governor Chukwuma Soludo for appointing him. For now, he is doing well,” he said.
In his contribution, Chairman, Medicine Dealers Association of the market, Chief Nsoke Matthew said there is peace in their medicine market.
He alleged that some elements who want to hijack the market for their selfish interest were bent in taking over the market.
“They tried to compromise Umeanozie who refused, then they petitioned the umbrella market body who turned their petition down. Since then, they have been going about trying to create problem in the market,” he alleged.
Nsoke said the drug market is presently intact and solidly behind Umeanozie leadership contrary to what opposition would want people to believe.
Chukwunonso Odua, who claimed to be the chairman of Zone Four, said the tenure of the past executive has since expired but they refused to conduct an election.
Consequently, a Caretaker was imposed on the zone four and the place is now peaceful.
“For a long time, prayers were not held in Zone one, but they recently held one, indicating the return of peace to the market,” Odua said.
He also explained that Chief Umeanozie has done well by chasing out thugs and other elements who harass, intimidate and extort ordinary traders in the market.
