Spare parts traders lament ‘ illegal interference’ in leadership

MOTOR spare parts traders along LagosBadagry expressway, under the auspices of Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association ( ASPAMDA), have lamented “illegal interference and forced attempt to overthrow” their executive committee.

The traders claimed that some individuals, accompanied by hoodlums, stormed their complex with a view to disrupt activities.

Narrating the ordeal, president of the association, Ngozi Emechebe, said one of the association’s members arrived with the police, claiming he had taken over the government of ASPAMDA. “There was no court order; just the petition he wrote to the Inspector General of Police ( IGP). We said no, and chased him out. Since then, we have been on the issue.

“When we held a meeting, the IGP told us that he wouldn’t take sides with anybody, that he would conduct a thorough investigation into all our submissions. I believe they are doing that now,” he said.

Emechebe said a suit was filed in court against the conduct of the member and the police, and that an order was served on them to stop harassing ASPAMDA’S administrative office and its activities for any reason.

He said the member had been claiming he is ASPAMDA’S elected president.

“But when we were about conducting elections in 2021, an order was served on the then caretaker committee, and the matter was called up at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi. All parties were present. The judge said that the election should be suspended until the matter is decided. The judge ordered that the status quo be maintained, which states, ‘ let the man ( Sunday Igboanozue) remain in office’.”

He added: “I am surprised that a petition can be raised and the Nigerian Police will just come here to disturb the market’s stability. It’s an embarrassment to all of us.”