The decision of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) to adopt President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as the party’s candidate in the February 14, 2015 Presidential election, yesterday received a boost from the unanimous decision of traders in the South east geopolitical zone to adopt President Jonathan as their own candidate in the coming presidential election.
The traders who came together under the aegis of the South-East Amalgamated Market Traders Association (SEAMATA) also resolved to adopt all the candidates standing election on the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) as their candidates in the coming general elections.
In a Communiqué issued at the end of a Special Meeting in Awka, the traders revealed that the unfolding political dispensation became clearer to them after their interaction with the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, who is also the BoT Chairman and National Leader of APGA, prompting their decision to queue behind the party in the coming elections.
The adoption of President Jonathan and other APGA flag bearers as the association’s candidates in the coming elections was done by Voice Vote following a motion moved by Chief Christopher Talibe from Abia State and seconded by Mr. Festus Onowu from Enugu State at the Special Meeting at the Women Development Center, Awka.
Speaking on the occasion, the President-General of SEAMATA, Chief Ezenwankwor said that their decision to throw their weight behind President Jonathan and other APGA candidates in the forth-coming elections was influenced by the intense lobby mounted by Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State.
While declaring the traders total support to the Obiano administration, Chief Ezenwankwor commended governor Obiano for his determination, magnanimity and support to the traders in the South-East geo-political zone and assuring that sooner than later, Ndigbo would take their rightful position in the country.
The association whose membership cuts across Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States applauded the strategic vision of APGA under the party’s current leadership and vowed to do everything within its powers to support the party.
Reacting to this development, governor Obiano thanked them for resolving to adopt President Jonathan as their preferred candidate in the coming election and assured them that only President Jonathan would guarantee a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria, devoid of discrimination and other forms of extremism.
Governor Obiano also assured them that the State government had commenced the construction of a world-class international market at Ogbunike, Oyi Local Government Area of the State, which would not only help to decongest the Onitsha markets but also provide traders in the South East the greatest opportunity to grow their businesses.
Governor Obiano also announced that government had harmonized all the levies and fees aimed at ensuring that there was no incidence of double or multiple taxations, while promising them of improved sanitary conditions and more waste management containers and receptacles at various markets across the State.
The governor also assured them that he would organize special seminars where financial experts would educate them on banking transactions, and enjoined them to ensure that all levies are appropriately paid into government accounts to beef up the State’s internally-generated revenue.
