By Michael Ovat
Chairman of Nnewi North Local Government Area, Hon. Echezona Anazodo, has denied allegations that he or the local government received or managed billions of naira generated from the allocation of shops at the Agbedo Motor Parts Market in Nnewi, insisting that the council had no financial involvement in the privately executed market development project.
Anazodo, who reacted in an interview to allegations contained in a viral video, said he was shocked by the claims, maintaining that neither he nor the council collected or managed any funds connected with the Agbedo Motor Parts Market project.
“I did not collect any money from anybody. Neither I nor the local government received or managed any funds for that project,” he said.
The council chairman explained that the Agbedo Motor Parts Market project was a private arrangement between the market stakeholders, who own the property, and a contractor engaged by the market committee.
According to him, the local government’s role was limited to providing security and creating an enabling environment for the execution of the project.
“We were aware of the project and facilitated its implementation, but the work itself was carried out by a contractor appointed by the market committee,” he said.
Anazodo challenged members of the public to verify the facts by visiting the project site and speaking with those directly involved in the execution of the project.
“I encourage members of the public to visit the project site and speak with the people directly involved. They should investigate what actually transpired and verify whether any money was paid to the local government,” he said.
On the motive behind the allegations, the chairman suggested they might be personal, noting that the individual making the claims does not hold any official position in the market.
“It may be personal. I cannot say for certain, but the individual making the allegations does not hold any official position in that market,” he said.
He urged the public to seek clarification from the market leadership and traders with shops in the market.
“I believe the best approach is for people to speak with the market officials and those who have offices there so they can verify the allegations for themselves,” he added.
Speaking on preparations for the forthcoming August 29 local government elections in the area, Anazodo expressed confidence that all arrangements had been concluded.
“We are calm, prepared and ready. We have no problems and are good to go,” he said.
Corroborating the council chairman’s position, the Chairman of Agbedo Motor Parts Market, Mr. Kennedy Oguaju, told our reporter that the market project was wholly a private initiative of the traders.
Oguaju said the market was financed and owned by traders and executed through a contractor appointed by the market committee.
The Agbedo Motor Parts Market Allegation was made by prominent Nnewi businessman and former football club proprietor, Chief Gabriel Chukwuma, popularly known as Gabros, who, in a video posted online, alleged that more than N4 billion realised from the allocation of shops at the Agbedo Motor Parts Market was misappropriated and shared as political patronage.
Chukwuma said he decided to expose what he described as “dark deals” because of his responsibility as a senior citizen of Nnewi.
He also dismissed claims that he had controlled the affairs of Nnewi markets for over 31 years.
“I’m a billionaire. I don’t eat public money. I have not led any Nnewi market for one hour. Rather, I have used my money to champion the cause of traders and others in Nnewi. Go and verify,” he said.
He further alleged that he was being attacked because he rejected attempts to bribe him into silence by those he accused of misappropriating the community’s common patrimony.
The businessman also reaffirmed his support for the long-standing position of the people of Nnewi that elective offices should be occupied for only one term.
“I don’t lie. I don’t take bribes or public funds. That’s why they are against me,” he said.
