By Pius Dukor
In what has been described as the best election by an association, the National Association of Nigerian Traders, Rivers State Chapter, has elected Mr. Gift Nkesi Benjamin as their new chapter chairman.
The election which took place at the Mile 1 Police Station, Port Harcourt had 10 delegates selected from each of the market clusters in Rivers State.
Speaking after the election, the newly elected chairman, Gift Benjamin, expressed joy over the peaceful election, while promising to work with both local and state governments to achieve their aim and objectives.
Benjamin thanked his people for electing him, adding that he will bringing them on board as a team. The newly elected state chairman was before now the chapter chairman of Mile 3 Market Association.
In an interview after the election, when asked how he will handle those trading on the streets in Port Harcourt, he said street traders are illegal and the law does not recognize them.
When asked what he will do in respect of the second phase of Mile 1 market built and left by the administration of former governor, Nyesom Wike, he explained that he will consult with the chairman of the local council and the governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, adding that he can not take a unilateral decision on the issue.
The new state chairman further said the the issue of traders on Bishop Okoye Street Mile 3 is a tough task, based on the people benefiting from the street trading there, suggesting that the governor of the state has the power to close down the market.
In his remark after the event, the chairman of Rivers State Tax Justice Platform, Mr. Amaechi Justine said that as civil society organizations that promote fair and progressive tax justice in the state, the election was a welcome development.
“We have been encouraging and promoting fair tax justice system and we were invited because it is in tandem with our advocacy principles. They were able to conduct the election without government interface,” he said.
Fair election is part of securing the civic space and it is the right of people to associate and choose the leader they want.
On his part, the Election Committee chairman, Mr. Ejike Efayi, expressed joy for being able to conduct a free and fair election for the association, while advising the elected executive to carry traders along.
Gloria Akintoye, state national coordinator of the group, said “since 2017 there had been no proper elected leadership for the union, but today a new elected executive has been elected.”
It could be recalled that this election is the first of it kind in 15 years coming at a time when Tax Justice and Governanc Platform has been advocating for market association leadership without government interference.
The election also marked the collaboration between NANTS and Tax Justice Governance Platform using the Power of Voices Partnership fair for All Project, funded by OXFAM Nigeria, facilitated by Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, and anchored by Community Conciliation and Development Initiative.
