Rights groups decry closure of Anambra markets over APGA campaign flag-off

TWO human rights groups, the Campaign for Democracy, CD and the Civil Liberties Organization, CLO have berated Anambra State government for ordering the close of all the markets in the state.

People of Anambra had woke up yesterday to discover to their chagrin that all the markets in the state remained under lock and key to enable members of the ruling party, All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA.

This move was in a bid to make the people participate in the flag-off of APGA’s 2019 electioneering campaigns, which held in Awka, the state capital, a situation which crippled many businesses in the state.

In their separate statements issued yesterday to that effect, CD wondered why the state government ordered the closure of the markets in the state and queried: “is it because APGA is the ruling party in the state or as a result of impunity?”

Anambra state chairman of CD, Ekene Nnadi, flanked by his secretary, Zacheus Onah and two other members, Jude Onuigbo and Nosa Anthony, who spoke shortly after paying a courtesy call on the Onitsha Unit Commander of Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, said government took control of the markets since Peter Obi’s regime and decides who to elect as executive and who not to elect.

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According to the CD, “with the closure of the markets, millions of naira have been lost and at the same time, many families have been rendered hungry for the day because according to them, there are those who cannot get their daily bread unless to go to the market and push wheelbarrow or carry peoples goods on their head. Even the beggars are not left out. Generally, the closure has a multiplier effect on the entire citizenry.”

In his own statement, the state chairman of CLO, Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme estimated the losses arising from the market closure to about N500 million, describing the trend as “anti-people, unfortunate, self-serving, utter high disregard for the progress of the citizenry and disrespect to the citizens and their social well-being.”

Ezekwueme contended that in closing the markets, the interest of the masses was not considered to be paramount and sacrosanct, adding that adequate compensation must be made to the traders to assuage them.

He warned that henceforth, forceful closure of markets in the state must be put to a stop, adding that citizens must resist exploitation by the political class, while politicians must embrace good motive in politics.