From: Obinna Odogwu, Ekwulobia
Serious tension is brewing in the Power, Tools and Allied Products section of Onitsha Main Market following alleged plot by some members of the Board of Trustees of the market to rig the upcoming election of the association slated for April 26.
It is being alleged that a member of the Board of Trustees, Sylvester Ahanonu, is being planned to be forced on the people as Chairman of the group.
Some members of the association, dissatisfied with the alleged plot to force Ahanonu on the group, are threatening to shut down the market should free and fair election was not organised.
This was contained in a petition addressed to the Commissioner for Trade Commerce, and Industry, Hon. Ifeatu Onyejeme, entitled “Wake of Crises, Impending Doom, Calamity, Disorderliness and Bloodshed Waiting to happen in the Proposed Election of the Power, Tools and Allied Products Dealers Association,” signed by the Counsel to the group, Emmanuel C. Ezemenari Esq a copy of which was made available to the Daily Sun.
The petition partly read: “On this score, the members of the association who are privy to their plan to rig the election have promised to match their fraudulent plan with violent reaction which might likely turn bloody.”
“They have vowed to unleash violence by ensuring the disruption of the election or fighting back to cause serious catastrophe on that day since the incumbent executive in active connivance with the trustees are trying to surcharge them in order to cover up their fraudulent practice while in office” it added.
Meanwhile, the accused person, Sylvester Ahanonu, hung up the phone after our reporter introduced himself to him and the purpose for seeking a chat with him. Text messages thereafter seeking his reaction were not replied.