Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has condemned the ₦700,000 fee reportedly imposed by NAFDAC on traders at the Onitsha Head Bridge Market to reopen their shops, calling the action “unjust and insensitive.”
In a statement shared via his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, May 27, Obi expressed concern over the continued closure of the market and the financial pressure it is placing on struggling business owners.
“I recall visiting the Head Bridge Market during the initial phase of its closure, standing in support of the authorities to ensure our society is free from fake drugs and counterfeit goods,” he stated.
“I did so with the hope that investigations would be carried out swiftly, and the market would be reopened promptly, especially to ease the suffering of small business owners already burdened by our current national economic challenges.”
Obi said it was “deeply unfortunate” to hear that traders are now being asked to pay ₦700,000 to regain access to their shops, arguing that the demand is both harsh and ill-timed.
READ ALSO: Obi Condemns Closure of Onitsha Markets, Calls for Reopening
“Over 7 million Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have collapsed in the past two years in Nigeria. Our MSMEs are at a ‘we can’t breathe’ stage, and the very system that should be offering them oxygen is instead suffocating them,” he lamented.
Describing the fee as “economic sabotage,” Obi urged NAFDAC and relevant authorities to drop the charge and allow the shops to reopen immediately.
“These shop owners have already endured prolonged closures, mounting unpaid bills, and economic strain. Adding further burdens to them and their families at this time is simply unjust,” he said. “Compassion must lie at the root of government action.”
While reaffirming his support for efforts to eliminate counterfeit drugs, Obi cautioned that such efforts must not come at the cost of crushing legitimate businesses.
He called on policymakers and enforcement agencies to put compassion, recovery, and the survival of small businesses at the centre of their actions.