By Alphonsus Nweze
Fresh tension is mounting at the General Goods Dealers Market, located along Kano and Okwe Streets near Onitsha Main Market, following attempts by a faction of traders—led by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Bartholomew Ugwudike—to unilaterally install a new market executive.
Chief Ugwudike reportedly announced on Thursday morning that the BoT would appoint a Caretaker Committee, a move that directly contradicts both the market’s constitution and a ruling by the Anambra State High Court sitting in Onitsha. The proper legal procedure for constituting a new executive was also disregarded.
In its judgment, the Anambra State High Court declared that the tenure of the current executive had expired and directed the sitting chairman, Mr. Nonso Ihejiagwa, to conduct an election to usher in a new executive body.
In compliance with the court’s directive, Mr. Ihejiagwa subsequently wrote to the Chairman of the Onitsha Zone of the Anambra State Market Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA), Chief Eric Uwaoma, notifying him of the urgent need to conduct elections in the market.
However, on Thursday morning, Chief Ugwudike announced that the BoT would take charge of the electoral process—a declaration which Chief Uwaoma described as null, void, and of no effect, citing procedural violations.
Chief Uwaoma, who also serves as Chairman of Onitsha South Shop Owners, stated that proper protocol requires notifying the Special Adviser to the Governor on Market Matters, Chief Evaristus Uba, whose approval is necessary before any electoral exercise can proceed.
He further stated that there is an existing directive from the state government instructing all markets with expired executive tenures to suspend elections until after the November 8, 2025 elections.
Chief Uwaoma said that Chief Ugwudike’s announcement not only flouted due process but was entirely unlawful, stressing that the BoT lacks the authority to conduct any such election.
Attempts to reach Chief Ugwudike for comment were unsuccessful, as his mobile line was continuously engaged.
