One of the ogbete market traders who were protesting the sealing of their shops by Gov. Peter Mbah for failing to open shot dead during protest in Enugu.
It was reported that Governor Mbah ordered the sealing of several shops, malls and banks on Monday, which he accused of observing “illegal sit-at-home” called for by a Nigerian separatist living in Finland, Simon Ekpa.Â
Justifying the sealing of private businesses, Governor Mbah in a statement issued on Tuesday, which was signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Chidiebere Onyia said that businesses sealed on Monday would be closed for one week.
The Ogbete Market Traders Association has assured the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, of their resolve to queue behind him in the March 11 gubernatorial election. He also imposed that owners of businesses sealed must provide their current tax clearance certificates and all other relevant revenue documents at the end of one week to enable the state government to review and consider their formal letters for re-opening otherwise they would be auctioned off or permanently forfeited to the state government.
The traders who were glad to receive him in the market, said they arrived at their decision after considering the credentials, track records and programmes of all the candidates, adding that Mbah’s successful business background had already convinced them that he understood the pains business community were passing through. They noted that the PDP governorship candidate was able to build his business from scratch to a leading global conglomerate by dint of hardwork, resilience, dedication and focus, stressing that he would manage the state and restore the economy to enviable status.
The chairman of the Ogbete traders association, Mr. Steven Aniagu assured that traders in the market had already adopted him as their candidate after going through his programmes and ideas in his manifesto.
However, many residents are yet to comply with the government’s directive out of fear of possible attack by hoodlums.
But on Monday, government officials moved from place to place sealing business outfits. The government has also given conditions the affected traders must meet before their shops would be reopened.
The development has now sparked protests by Ogbete Market traders.
In a trending video, they are seen marching within the metropolis, chanting angry songs.
