The protracted leadership crisis that had troubled the Abakpa Nike Timber Market in Enugu State finally came to a decisive end on Saturday, November 29, 2025, following a peaceful and well-coordinated election observed by the Peter Mbah Market Monitoring Team. The exercise, which restored normalcy and confidence among traders, has been widely celebrated as a testament to Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s commitment to reforming market administration and promoting stable, accountable leadership across markets in the state.
The election, held under tight security and strict adherence to established electoral guidelines, began around 1:30 p.m. with the accreditation of voters using an electoral college system. Three major elective positions, Chairman, Treasurer, and Financial Secretary, were contested, while other offices such as Vice Chairman, PRO, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, and DOS had unopposed candidates.
Security personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, Civil Defence, Neighbourhood Watch, and independent observers, including NGOs, monitored the election, ensuring a peaceful, credible, and violence-free process. The Returning Officer, who also serves as the Secretary of the Enugu East Local Government Council, supervised the proceedings and later announced the results that reflected the will of the traders.
In the highly anticipated Chairmanship contest, Mr. Ikechukwu Anike polled 87 votes to defeat Mr. Somadina Ugwu, who scored 60 votes. Declaring the winners, the Returning Officer affirmed the results as credible, transparent, and reflective of a collective decision by the market electorate.
Reacting to the successful conduct of the election, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Market Matters, Hon. Dr. Chinedu Mbah, praised the process as “free, fair, and devoid of interference,” congratulating the newly elected executives and commending the traders for their exemplary conduct. He urged all market stakeholders to unite behind the new leadership for the peace, progress, and prosperity of Abakpa Timber Market.
Hon. Dr. Mbah reaffirmed Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s unwavering commitment to ensuring peaceful coexistence in all markets across Enugu State. He emphasized that under the governor’s leadership, market reforms have remained a priority, aimed at eliminating crisis, fostering accountability, and strengthening governance structures.
Hon. Dr. Chinedu Mbah commended the Chairman of Enugu East Local Government Council, Engr. Pastor Beloved-Dan Obi-Anike Nweze, for providing the enabling environment that made the Abakpa Timber Market election peaceful, credible and transparent. He noted that the Council Chairman’s proactive leadership, steadfast support for due process, and commitment to Governor Peter Mbah’s reform-driven vision were instrumental in restoring order and confidence among traders, ultimately paving the way for a truly free, fair and widely accepted election.
He further encouraged other markets still being administered by caretaker committees to begin preparations for proper elections, stressing that the era of indefinite caretaker leadership was over in Enugu State. According to him, Governor Mbah’s administration is determined to deepen democratic structures in market associations to ensure stability and economic growth.
The Peter Mbah Market Monitoring Team, represented by its leader, advised the new executives to regard their positions as a call to service. They emphasized the strategic importance of the Abakpa Timber Market to the state’s commerce and urged winners and contestants to close ranks for unity and development. The team also commended the peaceful disposition of the traders throughout the process.
A representative of the State Ministry of Transport, who witnessed the election, encouraged the new executive officers to maintain a cordial working relationship with the transport sector and the Enugu East Local Government Council for seamless operations within the market and surrounding areas.
The atmosphere in the market turned jubilant shortly after the declaration of results. Traders sang, danced, and celebrated the end of the leadership crisis, praising Governor Mbah and Hon. Dr. Chinedu Mbah for restoring peace and order. Many traders publicly expressed satisfaction with the transparent electoral process, stating that “the will of the traders has finally prevailed.” They lauded the Market Monitoring Team under Hon. Mbah’s office for consistently resolving crises and ensuring fairness in market affairs across the state.
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected Chairman, Mr. Ikechukwu Anike, thanked the Electoral Committee, the State Government, security agencies, NGOs, outgoing executives, and the traders for ensuring a peaceful and orderly election. He pledged to run an inclusive administration and work tirelessly to elevate the Abakpa Nike Timber Market to a position of pride within the state’s commercial ecosystem.
With this election successfully concluded, the Abakpa Timber Market turns a new page, one marked by renewed hope, strengthened unity, and a reaffirmation of Governor Peter Mbah’s vision for market reforms rooted in democracy, peace, and sustainable growth.
FOUNTAINCARE MEDIA
