Excitement and jubilation swept through New Haven Market, Enugu, on Thursday as traders turned out in large numbers to participate in a peaceful and transparent election that produced a new set of market executives, in what many described as a shining example of the Enugu State Government’s commitment to fairness, grassroots democracy, and non-interference in market leadership affairs.
The election, which was conducted in a calm and orderly atmosphere, was supervised by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Enugu State on Market Liaison, Hon. Dr. Chinedu Mbah, who led a government delegation to the market to ensure that the process was credible, transparent, and reflective of the will of the traders.
At the end of the exercise, Mrs. Obieze Kenechukwu emerged as the duly elected Chairperson of the New Haven Market through option A4 electoral pattern, alongside other officials elected into key executive positions including the Vice Chairman, Secretary, Public Relations Officer, Welfare Officer and other members of the market executive council.
The election was conducted under the supervision of Hon. Chief Arinze Nnia Ogbodo, who served as the Returning Officer, while representatives from the Enugu State Ministry of Trade and Investment were also present to observe and validate the process.
Following the announcement of the results, traders erupted into celebration, singing, dancing, and expressing satisfaction with the credibility of the election, which many described as one of the most transparent leadership transitions witnessed in the market in recent years.
Addressing the jubilant traders after the exercise, Hon. Dr. Chinedu Mbah reminded them of the assurance he gave during his previous visit to the market, particularly during the recent Umu Ada Nkanu Market-to-Market PVC sensitisation programme, where he promised that the Enugu State Government would guarantee a free, fair, and peaceful election without imposing any candidate on the traders.
Speaking with heartfelt conviction, he said the successful conduct of the election was a clear demonstration of the governance philosophy of the Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, who believes strongly in democratic participation and fairness at every level of leadership.
“During my last visit to this market, I assured you that the government of His Excellency, Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, the Executive Governor of Enugu State, would ensure a free, fair, and peaceful election here in New Haven Market. I made it clear that the government will not impose any candidate on the traders because leadership must come from the choice of the people,” Hon. Dr. Mbah stated.
“Today, that promise has come to pass. What we have witnessed here today is a clear reflection of the democratic values upheld by His Excellency, Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, who has consistently directed that leadership across markets and communities must always emerge through transparent and credible processes.”
He emphasized that Governor Mbah remains firmly committed to ensuring that the voices of traders are respected and that market leadership across the state reflects the true will of the people.
“Our Governor, His Excellency Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has always maintained that democracy must begin from the grassroots. He has made it clear that the traders themselves must choose their leaders without intimidation, without interference, and without imposition. That is exactly what has happened here today,” he added.
Hon. Dr. Mbah congratulated the newly elected executives and urged them to approach their leadership with humility, dedication, and a strong sense of responsibility toward the welfare and unity of traders within the market.
He also encouraged traders to support the new leadership in order to promote harmony and progress in the market community.
The presence of officials from the Enugu State Ministry of Trade and Investment further strengthened confidence in the credibility of the exercise, as they monitored the voting process to ensure compliance with established guidelines.
Traders who spoke after the election commended the Enugu State Government for keeping faith with its promise of transparency and fairness.
Several traders expressed appreciation to Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah for creating an environment where market communities can freely choose their leaders without political interference.
For many observers, the successful election at New Haven Market represents yet another example of the administration’s dedication to participatory governance and institutional transparency across Enugu State.
The celebrations continued within the market premises, traders described the election as a proud moment for the market community and a reaffirmation that under the leadership of His Excellency, Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, democratic principles remain central to governance in Enugu State.
