UNEASY calm is building up in the leadership of the Ogige Market Amalgamated Traders’ Association (OMATAN), Nsukka, in Enugu State.
In view of the crisis, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has ordered the suspension of the planned election into the leadership of the association.
It was learnt that the election was to be conducted last Sunday by the caretaker committee chairman of Nsukka Council Area, Mrs Rose Onah, until the governor waded in apparently to stem further disaffection in the union.
The governor’s directive followed a protest by two different groups in the market, who stormed the Enugu Government House in their numbers.
The first group was led by one of the chairmanship candidates, Mr Okoro Onyekachi Christian, who said with the exception of one, three other candidates were ready to go for the election in line with the provision of their constitution.
While addressing the traders, Ugwuanyi, who expressed disaffection over their failure to resolve the lingering leadership crisis, blamed the situation on greed and selfishness.
He, therefore, said that in furthering his peace moves in the market, the election should be suspended to give more room for consultations and peace.
“The election will not hold on Sunday; I give you one week, from now till Thursday, go to the chairman and resolve the issues; if you cannot resolve it, I will take another step,” he stated.
While charging the traders to give peace a chance, Ugwuanyi expressed concern over their failure to resolve the issues for over one year.
“We need peace in this state and we shall not tolerate crisis under whatever guise.
“Did you hear that I’m supporting anybody? Did you hear that I have any candidate? Tell me what we will do to make sure that peace returns there. I am not interested in who becomes the chairman, no commissioner has a hand there, what we want is peace and development of that market,” the governor further stated.