Political colorations force Anambra traders’ to ban prayer sessions in markets
Henceforth, hearing beats, prayers and songs of praises within major markets in Anambra State has been suspended on the orders of the Anambra State Amalgamated Market Traders Association (ASMATA).
Business Hilights South East Bureau chief reports that the ban which was handed down on Wednesday in Onitsha by ASMATA President, Chief Ikechukwu Ekwegbalu stemmed from recent discoveries that political heavyweights’ are now using such gatherings to gain undue access to people, thereby abusing prayer session dedicated to worshiping God with political activities.
While tracing the decision of the ASMATA Executive board to the fact that politicians had hijacked the exercise, he averred that “What we see now is extortion and conversion of prayer sessions to political rallies.
“This move became necessary because we have discovered that some overzealous ones abuse this practice by extorting market men and women regularly of their hard-earned resources.
“Some have turned the prayers into political jamborees and this is not healthy for the system.
Chief Ekwegbalu added further that accordingly, “All market leaders are expected to meet with the traders and inform them of this development.”
