Onitsha South Tags Petitioners Economic Saboteurs

Hon. Joseph Orji

The Onitsha South Local Government Council has described individuals who petitioned Charles Soludo against the council as economic saboteurs working against the interests of both the Local Government and the state.

In a statement issued by Hon. Paul Onuachalla, Esq., the Local Government Secretary, he asserted that the petitioners are merely attempting to score cheap political points against the Onitsha South Local Government.

He  noted that the publishers of the alleged petition failed to make copies of the document available online, thereby denying the Council the opportunity to respond comprehensively and transparently.

According to Onuachalla, the so-called petitioners appear to be aggrieved by the enforcement of state government directives, particularly those concerning the mandatory opening of markets and shops on Mondays, as well as the ongoing revalidation of market stalls.

He said  that individuals who refuse to comply with the directives of Local Government officials,especially regarding the opening of shops in council-regulated markets are liable for obstruction under Section 104 of the relevant law. 

He clarified that the stipulated penalty for such an offense is ₦200,000.00, not ₦50,000.00 as has been erroneously suggested in some quarters.