Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has announced plans for fresh elections in markets across the state as part of reforms to improve transparency, accountability, and security in market administration.
He made the announcement during a meeting with leaders of 41 markets at the Anambra State Light House, Awka.
Soludo said the government either dissolves current market leadership or retains them under a new code of conduct.
“We must know those qualified to vote and those qualified to be voted for,” he said, adding that eligibility would depend on payment of stallage fees and taxes over the past three years.
He said elections would be conducted market by market, with detailed guidelines to be released.
The governor also introduced provisions of a new market law, which mandates continuous market operations except on Sundays and official public holidays.
The law prohibits arbitrary closure of shops and requires executives to report illegal shutdowns to local government authorities. It also bans directives from non-state actors.
Offenders risk at least three years in prison or fines of not less than ₦20 million upon conviction.
“Nobody will be allowed to cripple the economy of Anambra State,” Soludo said.
He added that the reforms would reposition markets as major commercial hubs in West Africa, with plans to digitalise operations and end cash handling by market executives.
All market leaders are required to sign a new code of conduct before participating in the elections.
Officials at the meeting included the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Tobechukwu Nweke; Chief of Staff Ben Nwankwo; Commissioner for Commerce Nonso Chukwuma Ebonwu; the Chairman of the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service; and local government mayors.
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