Trader begs Soludo's intervention, as govt officials discriminate against non-indigenes

 

By Eche Nwaobasi

Chief Obiora Okoro the embattled chairman of Ozomagala building materials traders association Modebe family plazas Ozomagala street Odoakpu Onitsha has cried out to Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State to Please intervene personally in his case to ascertain the real truth on allegations currently being leveled against him by his senior special adviser on markets Chief Evaristus Uba  who he said acted on the basis of these false allegations to remove him from office as the democratic elected chairman of the union together with his entire elected executive and  setting up of caretaker committee leadership made up mostly of non members of the union for the union despite been on the know that they are private market operating in plazas owned by a private family Modebe Family of Onitsha.

Making this passionate appeal to Gov. Soludo who he described as a listening governor that listens to the poor like him and also believe in justice while interacting with journalists on the ongoing crises in the market which has split the union to two warring factions in his office at Modebe family plazas Ozomagala street odoakpu Onitsha yesterday, Chief Okoro noted that he has been having pain in heart and has been subjected to all manners of  dirty blackmail as well as portrayed as a corrupt person just because his traducers want to remove him at all cost because he is not from Anambra state.

 

 While noting that he has been badly maligned he muttered, “I don’t know why they are going about leveling these spurious corrupt allegations on me that i stole government money and is corrupt,i am begging Gov. Soludo to help me and personally investigate this and ascertain the truth as my hands are clean, I have never indulge in corrupt practices since I was elected, that is why traders am leading have confidence in me, this is the handwork of the evil people in government  and in our union who want to remove me at all cost because they don’t want a non indigene to be a private market leader, our association is not a government market but a market that is owned by Modebe family who is the owner of the plazas.

 Cleaning his tears he said in high tone,"am ready to face any independent panel setup by government to conduct a transparent inquiry that will not be biased to prove my  innocence, my hands are clean, these evil people want to smear my hard earned good name,Gov Soludo should help me" 

While Feeling depressed on account of anger he referred journalists to a  past report of conflict resolution committee once set up by Anambra State markets amalgamated traders association (ASMATA) the umbrella body of all traders in the state on the lingering crises of Ozomagala building materials traders association dated 15th October 2024 which after an extensive investigation that lasted for more than three months exonerated him of corruption as well as praise him on his diligent and transparency in terms of handling of government revenues as and when due , the report also commended him on his efficient and transparent leadership approach which the members of the committee stated greatly impacted on the smooth running of the association.

According to the report which was chaired by one Chief Eric Uwaoma chairman, Sir Peter Okala Secretary, Nze Philip Nwogu Vice Chairman, Chief Innocent Muojekwu Treasurer, High Chief Emeka Unaegbu publicity secretary  made available to journalists it was observed that Chief Obiora Okoro led executives was recommended by the committee for honour on account of his executives patriotism in bringing on the table a tangible achievement which was a lease agreement deal with Modebe family the owners of the plaza which they said will impact positively to the coming generation of traders in Ozomagala building materials traders association.