It was celebration and jubilation galore today, being January 4th, 2025,at the popular Aguiyi Ironsi International Market Association, Ladipo, Mushin Local Government Area,Lagos State, as traders who hitherto were in different camps, set aside their differences, settled contentious issues and conducted what was described as the most peaceful, free and Fair elections in the chequered history of their Market Unionism.
Our Correspondent reports that the election started at about 9am in the morning,as over one thousand genuine traders of the market, queued up in an orderly manner, on a straight line outside the main entrance, armed with their market identification card for verification before voting accreditation, which it was gathered, was part of the electoral guidelines.
There were visible and tight security arrangements provided by different Police units and detachments from the Divisional headquarters, Area Command, State Command and special SWAT Squad.
Like the State and National elections, accredited eligible traders were immediately ushered inside the voting arena inside the market, where they were given printed voters forms, delineated for the various contested offices, to tumb print for their choice candidates, in the Presence of all the contesting Candidates agents.
Contrary to anticipation and speculations, the atmosphere in the entire market was peaceful, friendly and cordial ,as the votes were casted, collated, openly counted and results declared by the Chairman of the Association’s Independent Electoral Committee, Mr. Paul Nwakeze, who was sandwiched by other members of the electoral committee, such as Mr. Solomon Ogochukwu Igwe, Secretary, Kingsley Nnadi and Celestine Onyembosi, amongst others.
Also at the election venue, was the immediate past Chairman of the market, Chief Emmanuel Mbamara, alias PDP, who with some Market Stakeholders such as Ichie Basil Mgbemije; Mr. Azuka Nwogbo; Chief Izuchukwu Ikeuba; Mr. Solomon Eze; Ezekwueche Eloka; Ndubuisi Ononuiwu;Mr. Victor and other Stakeholders,accompanied the Incumbent Chairman, Chief Chukwuma Onyebinanma and his Vice, Mr. Cajetan K. Anigboo , when they came to cast their votes.
Speaking to Journalists before casting his votes, the Emeritus Chairman,Chief Mbamara, who appreciated his fellow traders for turning out enmass to exercise their civic responsibility,expressed joy that peace has finally returned to the market .
Announcing the results in the presence of the Candidates agents, Mr. Nwakeze declared the incumbent Chairman of the market, Chief Chukwuma Onyebinanma, winner and re-elected, having scored 557 votes to defeat his closest rival Mr. Ifoh Kelechukwu, who got 105 votes, with 17 void votes recorded.
Other results were as follows:Mr . Aroh Emmanuel A., Scored 415 votes to defeat Nnaji Stanley,who had 278 votes and 19 void votes,to win the election for the office of General Secretary .
For the office of the Financial Secretary, which was not opposed,Nnamdi Demine Odinukwe ,had 694 votes with 18 void votes .
While Ogbonna Nmereole scored 691 votes, (21 void votes recorded)for the Treasurer position, Moses Dike Tochukwu scored 396 votes for the office of the Public Relations Officer,to defeat Uchenna Efobi , who got 308 votes with 8 void votes.
In the Provost’s position, Maduabuchi Mmouka got 417 votes to win Emmanuel Nnamani, who scored 291 votes, with 4 void votes.
Adeshina Ibrahim Allen got 378 votes to defeat Ominyi Ikechukwu’s 229 votes, with 5 void votes recorded.
According to the electoral umpire, total of 911 eligible voters were accredited with 712 voting and 92 votes were voided.
