Traders at the Orie Orba Market in Udenu Local Council of Enugu State have appealed to Governor Peter Mbah to intervene in the leadership crisis within their association to prevent a potential breakdown of law and order.

The crisis began on November 7, 2024, when the council chairman, Aka Eze Aka, allegedly dissolved the elected executive of the Orie Orba Market Traders Association (OOMTA) without prior notice. The next day, he inaugurated a seven-member caretaker committee to manage the market’s affairs for six months, directing the dissolved executive, led by Brendan Ugwu, to hand over to the committee.

The traders, however, resisted the move and sought the intervention of the Enugu State Ministry of Trade, Investment and Industry, urging it to overrule the council chairman’s decision. Instead, the ministry upheld the dissolution and backed the formation of the caretaker committee.

In a letter dated December 17, 2024, the Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Industry, Adaora Chukwu, cited “factionalisation of the traders’ union” as the reason for the dissolution, claiming it threatened the peace and livelihood of the traders. She stated, “It is incumbent upon the Enugu State government to intervene and neutralise the tension… pending when a new election is conducted.”

Despite this, the traders, in a petition signed by their executives, including Chairman Ugwu, have rejected the ministry decision. They argued that the executive, elected in September 2023 for a four-year term, had been functioning effectively and without internal crisis.

They accused the council chairman of taking arbitrary action, claiming that neither complaints nor consultations preceded the dissolution.

According to their petition, “The misunderstanding a few members had with the task force and security men had been amicably resolved… through the wise counsel of our grand patrons.”

The traders described the ministry unilateral decision to dissolve the executive as unconstitutional and unfair, urging Governor Mbah to reverse the dissolution and disband the caretaker committee. They stressed that no electoral or leadership crisis existed in the market and accused certain individuals of attempting to destabilise their association.

The traders highlighted their financial contributions to the state, noting that they generated N35 million in e-ticket payments in 2024 and were awaiting recognition as the best-performing market by the Revenue Board. Efforts to reach Aka for comments were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls or messages.