About six persons, among them the electoral committee chairman, of Nkpor Auto parts market, Anambra State, Mr. Ifeanyi Mbaekwe, were on Thursday injured following the disruption of the election in the market.
No fewer than 300 suspected thugs allegedly on the payroll of Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association, ASMATA, had invaded the market while accreditation was ongoing.
The thugs, dressed in yellow apron, led by the ASMATA President, Ikechukwu Ekwegbaru, had on arrival, attempted to force themselves into the market through its main entrance but were stopped by security operatives.
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However, a few who managed to access the venue of the election through other flexible gates, manhandled the electoral committee chairman and ordered him to produce the keys to the main gate.
Speaking to journalists after the incident, the electoral chairman, Mbaekwe urged the state government to allow them choose their leaders democratically.
He said: “The ASMATA boys, believed to be thugs, beat me up with one of them holding me as he was giving the order.
“They insisted I must produce the key to the main gate, but I told them I was not with the key.
“I urge the state government to allow us to do a democratic election, they should not impose a candidate on us.”
Meanwhile, election has been postponed indefinitely.
