Labour Party governorship candidate in Abia State, Prof. Alex Otti Ikonne, has issued a strong warning to the traders’ union and the Abia State Government over an alleged N36,000 levy being forced on traders in Aba. He described the fee as exploitation and insisted that no trader should be made to pay any illegal charges. According to him, the economic situation is already difficult, and adding such levies will only worsen the suffering of small business owners.

Ikonne explained that many traders in Aba are struggling to keep their shops open due to rising costs of goods and low patronage. He criticised the alleged actions of the union and government agents, noting that forcing traders to pay N36,000 in the name of revenue is unacceptable. He urged authorities to investigate the issue and put an immediate stop to the harassment of market men and women.

He also emphasised that the growth of Aba’s business community depends on fairness, transparency and policies that support trade. Ikonne stated that overburdening traders with unnecessary charges can destroy businesses and affect the economy of the entire state. He called for proper engagement with market leaders to create a revenue system that is fair and legal.

Community members and traders welcomed Ikonne’s intervention, saying they have been living in fear of being punished for not paying the fee. Many expressed hope that the state government will step in and address the complaints quickly. Ikonne urged the public to continue speaking out against unlawful levies, stressing that protecting the rights of traders is key to rebuilding trust in the system.