Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has called for the immediate reopening of markets sealed by the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Onitsha, Anambra State.
Obi made the call in a statement on his official X handle on Monday.
He condemned the activities of drug peddlers and called for the prosecution of those involved in the illicit trade.
“One unequivocally condemns such illicit drug trading activities and urges the government to take all necessary measures to eradicate the sale of fake items—especially drugs—and legally prosecute the perpetrators for the health and safety of society,” he said.
He, however, expressed concern over the closure of neighbouring markets, which he described as excessive and unjustified.
“Shutting down other neighbouring markets not involved in addition to the Ogbo Ogwu Market, such as Rod, Allied and Tools, Plumbing Materials, Timber, Surgical, and Provision Markets, seems excessive and unjustified,” he said.
He therefore appealed for their immediate reopening, highlighting the economic hardship traders and their families are facing.
“Their continued closure is severely affecting the livelihoods of millions, especially during this difficult period in our country”, he said.
The Former Governor of Anambra State also called for transparency in the search of shops, urging authorities to involve store owners during inspections.
“The search should be conducted transparently, with store owners present while their shops are inspected and items removed by the law and due process,” he advised.
The Former Governor shared his approach to handling similar situations during his tenure:
“Whenever we encountered public health threats, we addressed them collaboratively and methodically with the relevant agencies. In cases requiring market interventions, we worked closely with regulatory authorities and security agencies, ensuring fairness and due process,” he said.
He urged the state government to reconsider the current strategy to prevent undue hardship on traders and protect the state’s economy, adding that there was a need to weigh public health measures against their economic impact.
