The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Enugu State, Uche Nnaji, has promised to rebuild demolished markets in the state and provide free shops to affected traders if elected.
Mr Nnaji also pledged to review the state’s tax regime and abolish what he described as excessive and exploitative taxes to ease the burden on traders and small business owners.
The former minister of Science, Technology and Innovation made the promises on Sunday while receiving a coalition of interest groups at his campaign office in Enugu.
The delegation comprised leaders of the Arewa Northern Forum, traders and artisans displaced from Gariki Market, members of the Inter-Faith Council and leaders of non-indigene communities.
Other stakeholders also attended the meeting, where the groups expressed solidarity with Mr Nnaji and lamented the hardship allegedly caused by market demolitions and multiple taxation.
They also raised concerns about difficulties in securing trading spaces across the state.
Mr Nnaji said his administration would review the circumstances surrounding the demolitions and develop arrangements to restore the livelihoods of affected traders.
He said the loss of businesses and sources of income had caused severe hardship for many families.
The candidate insisted that government should prioritise wealth creation and citizens’ welfare rather than implement policies that leave people destitute.
“From the experience people have had and the trauma they have gone through, I know for a fact that many people have died,” he said.
Mr Nnaji said his administration would comprehensively review the plight of traders whose shops had been demolished and consider building replacement markets.
He explained that the proposed arrangements would partly depend on the resources available to the state government.
However, he maintained that restoring the traders’ means of livelihood would remain a priority.
He said the party’s emerging slogan, “No More Tax”, reflected its commitment to addressing residents’ and business operators’ complaints about multiple taxation.
“One of the first things we will do when we assume office is to remove these taxes so that our people can breathe fresh air once again.
“Our people are being suffocated by the burden they are carrying, and we want them to have relief,” Mr Nnaji said.
He also promised to address disputes involving filling stations located on land intended for markets.
According to him, his administration would explore relocating such facilities to alternative sites to enable trading activities to resume.
Mr Nnaji described trading as an integral part of the people’s economic and social life, saying government policies should protect the sector.
He further pledged to pursue an industrialisation programme focused on developing industries in the oil, cement, iron ore and steel sectors.
He said the initiative would create jobs and stimulate economic activities across the state.
According to him, industrial centres would be supported by residential estates and new urban communities designed to generate employment and improve living conditions.
“We are looking at opportunities in oil, cement, iron ore and steel, with plans to make progress within two years. These industries will create substantial employment, both directly and indirectly.
“Around the industrial centres, we intend to establish estates and develop new cities. These will be employment-generating urban centres that can support economic growth and improve people’s living conditions,” Mr Nnaji added.
The PDP candidate also disclosed that his administration was considering free medical care for elderly residents aged between 65 and 70.
He said his ambition was not to accumulate wealth through public office but to lay a foundation for a better future for young people in Enugu State.
Remarks by leader of the Arewa Northern Forum
Earlier, the leader of the Arewa Northern Forum, Innocent Iwual, said the association had existed for 19 years and had members across the state.
Mr Iwual said members of the northern community had participated in previous elections but were disappointed by what he described as politicians’ unfulfilled promises after assuming office.
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He urged Mr Nnaji to recognise non-indigenes’ contributions to the state’s political and economic life and ensure they were not neglected.
Also speaking, a PDP chieftain, Basil Ani, said the gathering brought together traders affected by market demolitions.
Mr Ani said non-indigenes were also among those who attended to express their support for Mr Nnaji.
Dogged by forgery scandal
The former minister has been dogged by forgery scandal.
He resigned as minister on 7 October last year, three days after PREMIUM TIMES published an investigation revealing that the then-minister forged his University of Nigeria, Nsukka degree and NYSC certificates, which he submitted to President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Senate during his ministerial confirmation in 2023.
The anti-graft agency ICPC is prosecuting Mr Nnaji at a Federal High Court, Abuja, for certificate forgery and money laundering.
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