The State Commissioner for Market Development and Parks, Professor Nwogo Ajuka Obasi, announced the decision on Friday after a high-level mediation meeting involving the defunct executives, aggrieved members, and representatives of the Amalgamated Traders Union, Eke Imoha.
Addressing journalists shortly after the meeting, the Commissioner disclosed that government’s intervention became imperative to forestall further breakdown of order within the association and to restore institutional integrity to the union’s governance structure.
According to him, findings from consultations revealed entrenched leadership disputes, procedural irregularities in attempted elections, and concerns over financial mismanagement and accountability gaps.
“We noted that there is a leadership crisis rocking the Ezza North and Ezza South Goat Dealers Association. There were attempts to conduct elections, but the modalities were not in line with standard procedures. We also observed mismanagement of certain union funds and a lack of accountability,” Obasi stated.
He explained that after broad-based consultations with stakeholders, including the Amalgamated Traders Union, the Ministry resolved that the tenure of the former executives had effectively come to an end, and consequently dissolved all existing leadership structures of the association.
While clarifying the legal nuance of the action taken, the Commissioner stressed that the former executives were not summarily removed but that their tenure had expired in view of the prevailing circumstances and administrative review.
“Our decision that dissolved all leadership structures of Ezza North and Ezza South Goat Dealers Association, Onueke, stands. After extensive consultations with opposing groups and the Amalgamated Traders Union, we resolved that a caretaker committee be constituted to stabilise the association,” he said.
To provide transitional oversight, a five-member caretaker committee was inaugurated with a three-month mandate to administer the affairs of the association and lay down credible modalities for conducting a free, fair, and transparent election.
The committee is chaired by Mr. Usulor Godwin Nweke, with Mr. Iloke Joseph Kelechi serving as Secretary, Mr. Sondi Elom Sunday Egede as Treasurer, Mr. Igwe Sunday Ezekiel as Public Relations Officer, and Mr. Nwafor Solomon as Provost.
Professor Obasi underscored that the caretaker committee would operate under strict ministerial supervision to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and to guarantee an orderly electoral process within the stipulated timeframe.
The inauguration takes immediate effect from February 27, 2026, while the outgoing leadership has been directed to complete a formal handover on or before March 4, 2026.
In his remarks, the outgoing Chairman, Nwakpa Vincent Onyebuchi, appealed to members to rally behind the interim leadership and avoid actions capable of exacerbating divisions within the association. He urged the caretaker committee to engage in broad consultations, particularly in contentious areas, and to shun rumor-driven narratives.
Accepting his appointment, Caretaker Committee Chairman, Mr. Nweke, pledged to prioritise reconciliation and institutional rebuilding.
“Peace will be our watchword. We call on all members of Ezza North and Ezza South Goat Dealers Association to support this administration so that we can reposition the union for progress,” he said.
Also speaking, a representative of the Amalgamated Traders Union, Eke Imoha, emphasised that sustainable peace would require collective sacrifice and responsible leadership. He urged the caretaker committee to adopt an inclusive governance framework that accommodates divergent interests while safeguarding the association’s corporate objectives.
The government’s intervention marks a decisive regulatory step aimed at restoring stability within one of the prominent commodity-based traders’ associations in Onueke, amid growing concerns over governance deficits and fragmentation within market unions across the state.
Observers noted that the success of the caretaker administration will depend largely on its capacity to entrench transparency, rebuild trust among factions, and deliver a credible electoral transition within the stipulated 90-day period.
