Former Anambra Market Caretaker Chairman wins, as traders elect new executives

By polycarp Ifeanyi

The immediate past caretaker Chairman of Ogbaru Main Market, near Onitsha, Anambra State, Chief Ndubuisi Ochiogu has been elected as the Chairman of the Market by the traders.

The election, conducted through option A4 system, began shortly after delegates who elected the new executives were thoroughly accredited and supervised by the electoral committee Chairman and representatives of Anambra State Market Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA) officials, Mr. Emeka Apeh.

In the election which took place at Godwin Achebe stadium, Fegge, Onitsha South LGA, Chief Ochiogu was elected after he accumulated 504 votes to defeat  his rival, Mr. Victor Chukwuma Nwawuzie who mustered only 10 votes.

The election equally produced, Mr. Patrick Ezenwa who was elected as the vice Chairman with 315 votes against Mr. Chinedu Egezie with 42 votes

Other elected executives are Mr. Uchenna Wisdom Obasi (secretary), Mr. Bucknor Agu (vice secretary), Mr. Uchenna Ndubuisi (Financial secretary),Mr Lawrence Ezeigbo Treasurer, Mr. Obiora Chukwudi (Public Relation Officer PRO), Mr. Ekenedilichukwu Chinyeaka ( provost respectively).

Appreciating traders, the elected Chairman, Chief Ndubuisi Ochiogu stated that he was elated for the peaceful conduct of the election, revealing that traders exhibited  high level of maturity during the exercise. 

He explained that his massive supports from traders indicated how traders valued all he attracted in the Market, reassuring them that he would do  more than what he has done for them when he was the Care-taker Chairman. 

He recalled that he has contested election  in the Market for three consecutive times and failed  but he accepted his failure  in  good faith, advising his rivals to exercise patient and wait for another election which according to him might favour them.

Commenting, the Market Board of Trustees (BOT) Chairman, Chief Sam Mendu noted that the good work of Chief Ochiogu during his tenure as Care-taker Chairman has vindicated him , describing him as a workaholic leader.

He affirmed that Chief Ochiogu has attracted enormous achievements in the Market within his  few months of Care-taker leadership, expressing optimism that the new executives would perform well.

Similarly, the electoral committee Chairman, Mr Emeka Apeh as well testified that the election was the most free and fare election ever conducted in the Market, Urging those who could not win to accept it as the will of God and wait for another election, even as Mr. Patrick Ezenwa vice Chairman electd and Mr Uchenna Wisdom Obasi general secretary electd eulogized traders for giving them opportunity to  serve.