The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Enugu State, Uche Nnaji, has promised to rebuild demolished markets and provide free shops to affected traders if elected in the February 6, 2027 election. Nnaji made the pledge while receiving a coalition of interest groups at his campaign office in Enugu. The groups expressed solidarity with the PDP candidate, lamenting the hardship caused by market demolitions, multiple taxation, and difficulties in securing trading spaces.
The delegation comprised leaders of the Arewa Northern Forum, traders and artisans displaced from Gariki Market, members of the Inter-Faith Council, and leaders of non-indigene communities resident in the state. They expressed dissatisfaction with what they described as unfulfilled political promises by the present administration. Nnaji said his administration would review the circumstances surrounding the demolition of markets and work out arrangements to restore the livelihoods of displaced traders.
Nnaji stated that the loss of businesses and sources of livelihood had caused severe hardship for many families, insisting that the government should prioritize wealth creation and citizens' welfare rather than implement policies that leave people destitute. He noted that many people had died due to the trauma experienced from losing their means of livelihood. The PDP candidate emphasized that the essence of government is to create wealth, not to destroy people's livelihoods or cause their deaths.
The PDP candidate said his administration would undertake a comprehensive review of the situation confronting traders whose shops had been demolished and consider building replacement markets to accommodate them. The proposed arrangement would depend partly on the resources available to the incoming administration, but Nnaji maintained that restoring the traders' livelihoods would be a priority. He explained that his intention is to use public resources to build the markets and give the shops to their original owners free of charge.
Nnaji also promised to address disputes involving filling stations located on land intended for markets, saying his administration would explore the possibility of relocating such facilities to alternative sites to allow trading activities to resume. The PDP standard-bearer emphasized that government is not about making money but about ensuring that the people live well and creating wealth for them. If resources permit, he vowed to construct replacement markets for those that have been demolished.
Earlier, the leader of the Arewa Northern Forum, Innocent Iwual, said the association had existed for 19 years and had members across Enugu State. Iwual said members of the northern community had participated in previous elections but felt disappointed by what he described as unfulfilled promises by politicians after assuming office. The gathering, according to a PDP chieftain, Chief Basil Ani, brought together traders affected by market demolitions, families of people said to have died following the resulting hardship, and non-indigenes who wanted to express their support for the PDP.
Uche Nnaji's pledge to rebuild demolished markets and provide free shops to affected traders has garnered support from various stakeholders in Enugu State. The PDP candidate's administration aims to prioritize wealth creation and citizens' welfare, a move that may resonate with voters in the 2027 election. As the campaign season unfolds, Nnaji's commitment to addressing the plight of displaced traders and artisans will likely be closely watched by residents of Enugu State.
Key points
- Uche Nnaji vows to rebuild demolished markets and provide free shops to affected traders if elected in 2027.
- The proposed arrangement for rebuilding markets will depend on the resources available to the incoming administration.
- Nnaji's administration aims to prioritize wealth creation and citizens' welfare, a move that may resonate with voters in the 2027 election.
