Onitsha Main Market: Protest against my appointment stage-managed, says Caretaker Chairman

Mr Chinedu Aniagboso, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Machete Dealers Association, Onitsha Main Market, has described the protest against his appointment as “stage-managed”.
Aniagboso made the remark at a newsbriefing on Friday, while reacting to the protest organised by some members of the association.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the protesters, led by one Emeka Anyanwo, were challenging the inauguration of the Aniagboso-led committee.
They described the committee as illegal, saying that it was unconstitutionally constituted.
Aniagboso, however, said that it was sad that a few people in the market, “who see politics as their trade, can go to the length of undermining the policies and actions of the Anambra government just to achieved their selfish gains”.

He described those who joined the protest as “rented from outside the market to blackmail the government”.
He said: “It is sad that the protesters had the temerity to question and undermine the action of the Anambra Government.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the government has not conducted an election for this association.

“The illegal election that was held was cancelled by the government in a letter dated June 28, 2021.
“This group of people want to impose their selfish agenda on the association and Anambra Government, which has the programme for administrating of markets and elections.”

Aniagboso said he was focused and committed to the timely completion of the ongoing work at the permanent site for the market at Ogidi “and would not be distracted”.
He thanked the State Government for finding the members of the committee worthy to serve the body.

According to him, the committee will protect the interest of members of the association and ensure the successful relocation of the market to its permanent site. (NAN)