Group demands Gov Mbah’s public apology over demolition of market

The Nsukka Patriotic Group (NPG) has demanded an unreserved public apology from Enugu State governor, Peter Mbah over the demolition of Ogige Main Market, in Nsukka, an action which they claimed has caused severe economic hardship for thousands of families in Enugu North Senatorial District.

The demand for the public apology was contained in a communiqué reached at a meeting of the group which was circulated in Enugu on Friday.

No fewer than 5000 shops were demolished two years ago at the market to make way for the state government’s ultra modern motor park.

Governor Mbah had during an endorsement rally for his second term. in office organised by Enugu North Senatorial Zone in his honour last Saturday, explained that whatever happened to the market was in the best interest of the state.

“We saw Ogige market as a keg of gunpowder . We were sitting on a keg of gunpowder. If we did not do anything and we had an emergency situation in the market, questions would have been asked if we had government in this state, because there was no way we would have moved emergency interventions into the market”, he said.

He had promised to pay seed money to the traders as well as allocate new shops in the area to them.
But the group decried the demolition as “reckless and insensitive”, urging people of the area to resist any effort of a planned solidarity to the governors

“We call on all true sons and daughters of Enugu North who feel the pain of our people over the demolished Ogige Market to shun any planned solidarity rally for the Governor. Any participant will be regarded as an accomplice to this abomination against our people.

“Any endorsement of the Governor, made or at any other time, does not represent the collective will of Enugu North people. Such endorsements are the handiwork of a few individuals pursuing personal interests.

” Contrary to the perception that our people are timid, we state categorically that after three years in office, this administration has not constructed a single road or delivered any functional project in Enugu North Senatorial Zone”, they said

They added that, “The NPG is closely monitoring individuals and groups who are cheaply selling out the zone for personal gain”, adding that they would be exposed and treated accordingly by the people in due course.”