The Ebonyi State Government has declared illegal the reported attempt by some members of the Ebonyi State Foodstuff Dealers Association to conduct an election despite an earlier directive suspending the exercise.
The government described the action as a clear act of disobedience to its lawful directive and warned that the suspension of the association's election remains in force until further notice.
In a statement in Abakaliki, the State Commissioner for Market Development, Hon. Okwu Oko-Udu, said the election scheduled for July 17, 2026, was suspended not because of any compromise, but as part of efforts to resolve the existing disagreements within the association, promote peace among members, and create an enabling environment for a credible and widely accepted electoral process.
According to him, Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru's administration is committed to peace, harmony and due process, urging members of the association to emulate the governor's peaceful leadership by exercising patience and allowing the reconciliation process to run its course.
Hon. Oko-Udu disclosed that members of the Ebonyi State Market Development Board, acting on his delegation, visited the association to encourage members to maintain decorum following the suspension of the election. However, they were surprised to discover that some individuals had allegedly made arrangements to conduct a parallel election in defiance of the government's directive.
He stated emphatically that neither the Ministry of Market Development nor the Ebonyi State Market Development Board approved or supported any attempt to hold an election while the suspension remains in force.
"The Ministry and the Board are not in support of any attempt to conduct the election. We wish to make it clear to the public that the election remains suspended until all conflicting issues are amicably resolved," he said.
The commissioner called on members of the association and the general public to respect the government's decision, maintain law and order, and cooperate with ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and unity within the association before a new election date is fixed.
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