The news of the vacation order by the Lagos state government to the traders of Alaba Rago market, one of the most largely populated Northern Nigerian market situated outside the North no doubt came in with an excruciating and devastating pain to the traders and their customers.
L-R Alhaji Aliyu Abubakar Galadima of Lagos, Alhaji Yusuf Sa’adu Dandare Gulma Chairman Arewa Community Forum, Alhaji (Dr.) Muhammad Abubakar II The Sarkin Fulani of Lagos, His Excellency Babajide Sanwo Olu The Executive Governor of Lagos State.
This threw the traders into pandemonium and rancor owing to the fact that the economic situation of the country has largely affected trade, inflation has caused multiplier effects on prices of goods and services, which in the long run has affected sales and projected poverty and hunger.
The short notice to pave way for developers without proper framework of relocation, compensation, and a clearly defined handover scope with terms for current traders and shop owners who have been the custodians of this market for decades is also a major factor that has further enraged the traders.
This uncertainty has further thrown a big question as to why northern traders are not usually regarded, carried along during development plan process of markets that have been run by them for decades based on antecedents of similar evacuation plans in other markets they have been prevalent in the state, a recent example was the Ile-Epo foodstuff market during the administration of former governor of Lagos Akinwunmi Ambode.
The population of traders in Alaba Rago is a force to reckon with by the state, as dislodging the traders will have a lot of consequences from economic, political, security and otherwise, depending on the prism to which we analyze the situation. Be that as it May, suddenly rendering a size-able number of people that have businesses jobless without a proper relocation and rearrangement plan is not a good feat for the statue of Lagos state as a mega city for all that doesn’t discriminate, and it also does not speak well of the government as an all-inclusive government.
(L-R) Alhaji Sa’adu Yusuf Dandare Gulma Chairman Arewa Community, HRH Sarkin Fulani of Lagos Alh. (Dr.) Muhammad Abubakar Bambad’o II, His Excellency Governor Babajide Sanwo Olu, Galadima of Lagos Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu, Lagos State Chief of Staff Mr Tayo Akinmade Ayinde
With the election season ahead of us, the political undertone that’ll be given to the sudden evacuation order viz Okada ban which has largely affected the northern populace resident in Lagos will be seen as a vendetta against this demography of people as politicians are already exploiting this situation owing to the fact that the northern populace are a large percentage of Voters in Lagos state, this is a fact, evident in various elections in the state and the general elections.
Evident to this is the recent visit of the former Governor of Kano State and the Presidential aspirant of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in person of Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso who was at Alaba Rago to commiserate with the traders and promise to intervene on their behalf.
His Royal Highness The Sarkin Fulani of Lagos Alhaji (Dr.) Abubakar Bambad’o II (Chairman, Council of Fulani Chiefs Southwest Nigeria)
After due consideration of the whole situation and proper assessment, the entourage of HRH The Sarkin Fulani of Lagos, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar Bombado II alongside his brother the Galadima of Lagos, and the Chairman Arewa APC Consultative Forum Alhaji Saadu Gulma Dandare met with the governor of Lagos, Gov. Babajide Olusola SanwoOlu who is a man of honor and pedigree, a listener and proactive leader who has exemplified his leadership skills in the development of the state. After due deliberation, the governor rescinded the 14 days evacuation order earlier issued to allow the traders continue with their legitimate business pending a formal agreement and development plan that will work in the interest of all stakeholders. This indeed is a welcome development in the interest of all. The delegation also discussed the issue of Ayobo Cemetery earlier given to Arewa Muslim community by former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola which Arewa people have not been able to access till date and lastly the issue of the Okada ban.
In this regards, we commend the efforts of our reputable Royal Fathers; the Palace of the Sarkin Fulani of Lagos, who defied all odds to intervene on behalf of our people, our concerned Politicians especially Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso for his concern towards the welfare of our people and subsequent intervention, the Chairman Arewa community Forum Alhaji Yusuf Sa’adu Gulma Dandare, The general Arewa community in Lagos whom have remained calm and law abiding while this issue is being resolved amicably, lastly the leadership of Alaba Rago market and respected traders.
Alhaji Sa’adu Yusuf Dandare Gulma (Chairman Arewa Community in Lagos)
Most importantly, we must commend the Lagos state government for heeding to the plea of our people and addressing this situation, we also implore them to run an all-inclusive process to properly nip this issue in the bud, as we enjoin all Arewa people to continue to be law abiding and cooperate with Government/Law enforcement agencies in fishing out the bad eggs amongst us.
Yasir Arafat Jubril
Public Relations Officer (PRO)
For; Lagos Arewa Youth Organization (LAYO)
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