When the news filtered yesterday that there was a pandemonium in New Artisan market, not quite a few showed serious surprise at the turn of events in that area. For one, new Artisan market is peopled majorly by citizens of northern Nigeria. Perhaps the surprise stems from the fact that despite Governor Ugwuanyi’s hands of fellowship towards Nigerian citizens of Northern extraction doing business in the state and especially traders at the New Artisan market, they failed to reciprocate the peaceful dispositions of the Governor when it mattered most.
Curiously, people who were largely uninformed about the genesis of the property where the livestock traders are quartered began to haul invective on the state government and its agents as the initiator and purveyors of crisis. Interestingly, the police authorities in Enugu while reacting to the unfortunate incident which turned riotous and claimed properties revealed that a relevant organ of the government was only carrying out a legitimate order of the court which recognized the ownership of the disputed property as belonging to a late revered traditional ruler, late Igwe Gabriel Nnaji. Unfortunately, an attempt by the said relevant organ of government to enforce the vacation order on the affected traders was met with an uproar which turned riotous.
It is therefore important to remind those peddling false accusations against the government of our peaceable governor as the architect of the crisis to thread softly and strive always to double check their facts before rushing to poison the minds of people. It is also important to remind the harbingers of bad news against Ugwuanyi that Gov Ugwuanyi we know cannot is a firm believer in the rule of law. Therefore, it is only ideal that he gives full backing to any organ of government saddled with the responsibilities of executing valid court orders. As the chief executive and security officer of the state, we cannot expect less from a man who meant well for his people and their collective growth.
Relevant checks aside the release by the Enugu State Police command confirmed that the livestock market under is a private property owned by late Igwe Gabriel Nnaji (Nwanjaja) of Akpugo. The family has got a court judgement over the place and have come to reclaim what rightfully belong to them. Enugu state governor in his characteristics humble manner informed the Hausa community in the market about the true position, offered them reasonable sum of money to look for a convenient site for their business and even provided an expance land to the settlers there at Amechi Idodo in Enugu East local government. Curiously they threw all these gestures in the face of the Governor and allowed bitterness to get the better of them when the enforcement team went to eject them forcefully. Why? Why would a section or group of people take Ugwuanyi’s humility for granted?
The New Artisan market land does not belong to Enugu State government rather it is a private property. The owner did not lease it to Enugu state government and the government is not collecting any tax there. Governor Ugwuanyi was just being peaceful that he is known for. This is the person and character of Gov Ugwuanyi we know. The Nwanjaja family did not consult with Enugu State government to help them enforce the court judgement. Enugu State government is not taking over the property from Nwanjaja family, Enugu state government is not benefitting from the market in any way. Why crucify Gov Ugwuanyi on what he knows nothing about?
If not that it is his type of person, who cares? Going to the extent of making alternative arrangement in Amechi Idodo for them shows he cares. He carries everybody along and is a father to all.
The Gov Ugwuanyi we know is passionate, humane and not wicked.
Let it be known that what happened at New Artisan market yesterday is a private issue. Enugu State government did not send anybody and will not send anyone to go and reclaim the land for him.
The Gov Ugwuanyi we know is a peaceful and will never change his God given virtues no matter the provocation in any quarter.
Surely Enugu State is in the hands of God.
BIBIAN ANEKWE NEWS …“Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
Written by
Leonard Ugwu
A Political Analyst
MEDIA TEAM MEMBER OF ENUGU DI N’AKACHUKWU MOVEMENT
