Four Jostle to Replace Ezenwankwo as Anambra Traders elect New PG June 5

Four  top traders of Anambra State market politics are in contention to replace the outgoing president-general of Amalgamated Traders Association of Anambra State (AMATAS), Chief Okwudili Ezenwankwo.

Chief Nwankwo who is completing his second tenure by June  has been elected to represent the Orumba North and South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

The contenders according to sources close to AMATAS are the the President of Onitsha zone of AMATAS and Public Relations Officer of the traders' umbrella body, Chief Vincent Ifeme.
He was also former chairman of Marine Modern market, Onitsha.


Other contenders are former chairmen  of Onitsha Main Market, the premier market in the State,  Chiefs Unobuagha, Sam Uzor and Aghadiegwu.

The final decision to fix the election on June 5, was taken Wednesday, May 15, 2019 after a crucial meeting of AMATAS'  executives  held at Traders' house, Modebe Avenue, Onitsha .
Other far reaching decisions taken at the meeting was the appointment of Electoral Committee headed by Prince Augustine Nnabuife, former chairman of Nwugo Market, Upper Iweka.

Sources close to AMATAS said their Constitution zoned the President-general of the body  to Onitsha zone, hence all the presidential aspirants are coming from the zone.
Among the four contenders, Ifeme is adjudged the most popular among traders  and baring  any unforeseen hitches he may be elected the next President-general of AMATAS,.He has   has akso learnt the rudiment under Ezenwankwo for some  years now.

Traders also see him as humane, straight forward and humble person that will not be too difficult to deal with.
As the chairman of Marine Modern Market, Ifeme was in forefront fighting for the welfare of his members which led to a  protracted legal battle  against those who wanted to take over the market.

He was arrested and taken to Abuja by Police  from Force Headquarters on trumped up allegations of kidnapping  on account of that struggle but  was later released when it was found to be false.

The leadership of Chief Ezenwankwo considered as one of the most successful and progressive in Anambra market politics came into office eight years ago during the administration of Mr Peter Obi ,after several years without a leader for the traders in the State. Obi had sidelined Sylvester Odife led defunct ASMATA and made it redundant