Members of the Abuja Automobile Tyre Dealers Association (AATDA), Apo Tyre Plaza, on Tuesday staged a peaceful protest in Abuja, alleging sustained intimidation, violent attacks, destruction of property and police bias, while calling on the Federal Government and security agencies to intervene in the leadership crisis rocking the market.
Addressing journalists during the protest, the Chairman of the association, Mr. Samuel Aka, accused a former chairman, Mr. Chimezie Ife, of allegedly destabilising the association through prolonged leadership disputes, repeated litigation and acts capable of causing unrest within the market.
According to Aka, Chimezie Ife, who served as chairman from 2016, allegedly extended his tenure beyond the constitutionally prescribed period before being removed through a vote of no confidence by members and a caretaker committee in 2022.
He alleged that since his emergence as chairman in 2022, his administration has been subjected to persistent harassment, threats and legal battles allegedly orchestrated by the former chairman.
Aka further claimed that the association's certificate of registration, cheque books, land documents and other vital records remained in the possession of Ife despite repeated demands for their return.
He also alleged that members of the association had suffered attacks, theft of goods worth millions of naira and disruption of legitimate business activities, including the alleged seizure of tyres from delivery vehicles.
The chairman appealed to President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant authorities to intervene and restore peace to the market.
He also criticised the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Apo Division, CSP Uchenna Igodike, alleging bias in handling complaints made by the association and calling for his redeployment.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the association, Mr. Arinze Okoye, described the press conference as a "distress call," alleging that hundreds of traders had continued to operate under fear due to what he described as persistent attacks and intimidation.
Okoye stated that the Abuja Automobile Tyre Dealers Association was incorporated by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) on February 21, 1996, and remained the only legitimate umbrella body for tyre, wheel, battery and automobile accessory dealers in the Federal Capital Territory.
He alleged that following the expiration of Chimezie Ife's tenure and the election of the current executive in 2022, the former chairman rejected the outcome and embarked on actions aimed at destabilising the association.
Among the allegations raised were claims of the unauthorised sale of association assets, the formation of a parallel association bearing a similar name, violent attacks on members during meetings, assault on traders and disruption of business activities.
Okoye also alleged that on November 4, 2025, and July 9, 2026, members of the association were attacked by armed individuals allegedly linked to the former chairman, resulting in injuries, destruction of property and panic within the market.
He further claimed that petitions detailing the incidents had been submitted to the Inspector-General of Police, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 7 and other authorities, but alleged that many suspects remained at large.
The association also called on the Corporate Affairs Commission to enforce its directive requiring the alleged parallel association to change its name, insisting that only one legally recognised tyre dealers' association should operate within Apo Tyre Plaza.
Supporting the appeal, one of the market elders, Chief Oscar Okeke, urged the Federal Government and security agencies to intervene, alleging that traders had been subjected to repeated intimidation and attacks.
Okeke claimed that many traders now conduct their businesses under fear due to recurring violence and called for decisive action to restore law and order within the market.
The association urged the President, the Minister of the FCT, the Inspector-General of Police, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, the DSS and other relevant agencies to investigate the allegations, ensure the arrest and prosecution of anyone found culpable, and guarantee the safety of traders and their businesses.
As of the time of filing this report, the individuals and authorities mentioned in the allegations had not publicly responded to the claims.