ASMATA Crisis: Oyi Chairman Petitions Soludo Over Alleged Illegal Sack 

…..as PG Defends Action

By Cyprian Ebele, Onitsha

The Oyi Zonal Chairman of the Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders’ Association (ASMATA), Mr. Peter Nwankwo, has petitioned Governor Chukwuma Soludo over his purported removal from office by the association’s President-General, Humphrey Anuna, describing the action as unlawful and a violation of due process.

Nwankwo, who is challenging the decision through his lawyer, A.D. Obinwune of K.C. Ezeanyika and Co., maintained that his appointment by the Anambra State Government remained valid, insisting that the ASMATA President-General lacked the authority to terminate it unilaterally.

However, Anuna has defended the decision, accusing Nwankwo and other affected officials of neglecting their responsibilities, failing to attend official meetings and outdoor functions, and contributing to internal disagreements that allegedly hampered the smooth administration of the association.

In the petition, a copy of which was made available to journalists, Nwankwo’s counsel urged Soludo to intervene urgently in the dispute, which it said could undermine the authority of the state government and create confusion within the association.

Titled “Re: Purported Removal of Mr. Peter Nwankwo as Zonal Chairman, ASMATA Oyi Zone—Request for Urgent Ministerial Intervention,” the petition argued that Nwankwo’s appointment by the state government, through the immediate past Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Markets, Evaris Uba, had neither been revoked nor terminated by the government.

According to the lawyer, the state government, being the authority responsible for the appointment, had not issued any known directive, instrument or resolution authorising Anuna to remove or suspend his client or appoint a replacement.

The petition stated that the ASMATA President-General could not assume powers that had not been expressly conferred on him, particularly where such powers concerned an appointment made by the state government.

It further alleged that Nwankwo was not informed of any specific misconduct, issued a query or subjected to any disciplinary proceedings before the purported removal.

The lawyer argued that the absence of a formal allegation or an opportunity for Nwankwo to respond raised concerns about fair hearing, natural justice and compliance with due administrative process.

“There was no hearing because no proceeding was commenced; no response was sought because no allegation was communicated; and no lawful disciplinary decision, to our knowledge, preceded the purported removal,” the petition stated.

Nwankwo’s counsel further maintained that Anuna’s position as ASMATA President-General did not automatically confer on him unrestricted powers to remove, suspend or replace an officer appointed by the state government.

The petition also questioned the subsequent appointment of Mr. Everest Ijezie as Nwankwo’s replacement, arguing that Anuna could not lawfully create a vacancy through a decision that his client contends was beyond his powers and subsequently fill that vacancy.

It warned that allowing such actions to stand could undermine government appointments, create competing centres of authority within ASMATA and generate avoidable tension among traders.

The lawyer said the dispute could also establish a precedent in which individual officeholders unilaterally alter appointments made by the state government without the approval of the appropriate authority.

Consequently, Nwankwo urged Soludo to order an immediate review of the circumstances surrounding his removal and direct that the decision be treated as null and void pending a determination by the competent government authority.

He also requested that the government continue to recognise him as the duly appointed Oyi zonal chairman pending a lawful decision on the matter.

The petition further asked the governor to ensure that no official recognition was accorded to Ijezie or any other replacement until the competent government authority had determined the dispute.

According to the petition, the requested intervention was necessary to preserve the integrity of government appointments, maintain administrative order and prevent a breakdown of peace within ASMATA’s Oyi zone.

Copies of the petition were sent to the state Commissioner for Commerce, the Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff, the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, and the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS).

But reacting to the allegations, Anuna defended his decision to remove Nwankwo and other officials, insisting that the action was based on what he described as tangible reasons relating to their performance and conduct in office.

The ASMATA President-General recalled that during Ijezie’s swearing-in ceremony, he had outlined reasons for terminating Nwankwo’s appointment, including alleged failure to attend association meetings and outdoor functions.

Anuna also alleged that Nwankwo and other officials who were removed had complained that they derived no benefits from their positions because no money came from the ASMATA secretariat.

He further accused the affected officials of allegedly spreading gossip and misleading market leaders, claiming that their actions negatively affected the smooth running of the association’s leadership.

“Nwankwo and others removed gave their reason that no money comes out from ASMATA Secretariat and as such no benefit to them from there,” Anuna said.

He added that the affected officials allegedly created divisions among market leaders and portrayed the leadership in a manner that, according to him, undermined the association’s administration.

Anuna maintained that the offices could not be allowed to remain occupied by officials who, in his view, were not adequately performing their responsibilities, hence the decision to replace them.

The dispute now places the focus on the respective powers of the state government and ASMATA leadership over appointments and removals within the association, as well as the procedures required to resolve disagreements involving government-appointed officials.

As of the time of filing this report, no response from the Anambra State Government on the petition was available.