APC Chieftain Condemns Alleged Harassment Of Aba Market Traders

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, Prince Paul Ikonne, has condemned the alleged intimidation, extortion and unchecked harassment of traders in Aba market.

Ikonne expressed worry over the untold hardship traders in Ariaria and other major markets in Aba are currently facing in the hands of alleged government-backed enforcers.

In a statement by his chief press secretary, Dr Ujo, the APC chieftain recalled that Governor Alex Otti had during campaigns, criticised the N18,000 levy imposed by the former administration as “too high” and promised drastic reduction.

He said, shockingly, upon assuming office, the same governor inflated the levy to an outrageous N36,000, pushing thousands of struggling traders into deeper economic misery.

Ikonne said traders who can barely afford their daily survival are now confronted with an impossible choice: pay the inflated levy or lose their only source of livelihood.

He emphasised that tax policies must be humane, fair and considerate of the prevailing economic difficulties faced by citizens.

“I am worried that the present Abia state government has normalised the sealing of shops, properties, indiscriminate arrests, court summons, and humiliating treatment of Abians whose only crime is their inability to meet oppressive and inflated levies.

“The rate of molestation and intimidation by agents of this government is alarming. No democratic society should subject its citizens to such cruelty. Governor Otti must remember that leadership is about service, not punishment,”Ikonne said.

He called on Ndi Aba, Ndi Abia and all well-meaning Nigerians to stand firm against what he described as a worsening pattern of anti-people policies.

Ikonne urged Otti to halt the nocturnal sealing of shops immediately, withdraw security operatives from markets and review the draconian levies imposed on traders.