Tension in Agboedo Market: Traders Accuse Nnewi North Chairman of Illegal Levies and Intimidation

 

The leadership of Anambra Market Stakeholders, under Mr. Oliver Nwachukwu, has decried what it describes as a growing campaign of extortion and harassment orchestrated by Hon. Echezona Anazodo, the chairman of Nnewi North Local Government Area. The group says traders in the Agboedo United Market, particularly at F Line in Nnewi, have been forced to endure unlawful levies and threats that jeopardize their livelihoods.

A petition addressed to Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, dated May 9, 2025, and made available to the press, outlines serious accusations against the LGA chairman. Mr. Nwachukwu, who leads the stakeholders’ association at the state level, revealed that traders are being coerced into paying illegal fees as high as ₦20,000. He asserted that these actions contravene the laws governing market operations in Anambra State and are undermining the economic stability of small business owners.

According to Nwachukwu, such practices not only constitute financial oppression but also tarnish the administration’s image, especially given Governor Soludo’s ongoing efforts to reform markets and improve revenue generation without overburdening citizens.

The Stakeholders’ chairman, following a fact-finding mission at the market, told journalists that the local government chairman's actions risk alienating one of the state’s most influential voting blocs. He accused Anazodo of intentionally sabotaging the governor’s re-election chances by turning the traders against his administration. “Our findings clearly show that the LGA chairman is creating enemies for the governor among the traders. This is not only dangerous but could be politically suicidal if not addressed immediately,” Mr. Nwachukwu stated.

One of the most controversial directives from the LGA chairman, according to the stakeholders, involves a demand that rice traders in the market contribute ₦5 million to reconstruct their own shops—an order that comes with the threat of demolition if they fail to comply. The situation has left many traders distressed, especially as some are already grappling with erosion damage in the area.

Mr. Nwachukwu questioned why Nnewi North is being treated differently compared to other LGAs, where the government bears the responsibility for constructing and allocating market shops. He emphasized that the current situation not only contravenes established market laws but also sows distrust among traders who had previously supported the governor’s developmental vision.

Expressing solidarity with the affected traders, he urged them to remain calm while assuring them that their grievances would reach the appropriate authorities. He called on Governor Soludo to step in and put an end to what he described as oppressive and politically motivated harassment, which, if allowed to continue, could lead to widespread voter apathy in the upcoming elections.

The situation, however, is fast deteriorating. A female trader, Mrs. Ogochukwu Agbasi, shared her frustration with reporters, lamenting that the extortion was not only draining their businesses but also crushing the traders’ faith in the current administration. “We’re trying to survive, yet we’re being milked dry and threatened daily,” she said.

Several other traders, particularly those at the rice section, spoke under anonymity due to fear of reprisals. They voiced their concerns about being forced to pay for the demolition and rebuilding of their own shops while facing constant harassment from the chairman and his alleged ally, one Austin Jideofor—referred to by some in the market as a “terror” figure.

Beyond the financial implications, the traders warned that the unresolved erosion issues affecting their shops could lead to structural collapse, posing risks to lives and properties. They appealed to Governor Soludo to seek federal government support in tackling the environmental threat, even as they begged for protection from what they called “merciless extortion” by local government forces.

The Anambra Market Stakeholders did not mince words in their warning: continued intimidation and unlawful levies could provoke organized resistance, possibly translating into a protest vote in future elections. “Let it be known that we will not fold our arms and watch our people be extorted and oppressed,” Mr. Nwachukwu declared.

He concluded with a strong plea to Governor Soludo, urging swift intervention to protect the traders and restore confidence in the state's leadership. “This is a defining moment. The governor must act decisively to protect the people and ensure that governance is not hijacked by those seeking to serve personal interests under the guise of public office.”