Tension in Onitsha Main Market as sacked executive refuses to vacate office

Two weeks after an Onitsha Magistrate Court presided over by Mr Uche Amaechi, sacked the Chairman of Onitsha Main Market, Dozie Okeke and his executive members, for alleged irregularity surrounding their election, peace have remained elusive.

It was reliably gathered that the embattled executive still parade themselves as the authentic leaders of Onitsha Main Market and had bluntly refused to vacate the “White House” office as directed by the court.

If proper action is not taken by the appropriate authority to stem the anger that is building-up in the Main Market, traders may resort to self-help to ensure that the order of the court is not flouted, sources said.

It will be recalled that the Onitsha Magistrate Court IV under Chief Magistrate Uche Amaechi, had nullified the Onitsha Main Market election of February 20, 2016, and subsequently sacked the executive for allegedly not adhering to the provision of the market constitution in the conduct of the said election.

Reacting to the refusal of the embattled chairman, Dozie Okeke, and his executive to vacate office, the applicant, Mr Malachy Nwabudu, said he was wrongly disqualified on the eve of the said election after he had paid N200,000 as candidate to the election.

Mr Nwabudu alleged that some leaders of the Main Market connived to assist the embattled chairman to ensure his continued stay in office despite the court order ousting him.