Ambode
Hundreds of shop owners, especially Igbos, were yesterday forced to shut-down their shops at the Idumota Market, Lagos Island and ordered to attend a rally in honour of All Progressives Congress gubernatorial candidate in Lagos, Akinwunmi Ambode
This is coming at a time the Lagos monarch is under heavy criticism for threatening to deal with Igbo residents in Lagos if they did not vote for Ambode on Saturday.
One of the traders said: “We arrived Idumota market as early as 8 am. Shortly after, some thugs came, ordering us to shut our shops on the orders of Oba Akiolu.
“They gave us 10 minutes to hurriedly close shops and join the waiting vehicles parked in front of his palace, and heading to Orile, venue of Ambode’s campaign, led by the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.”
Some of the Igbo traders, who deal on pharmaceutical products, said when they arrived the market, they were informed that Oba Akiolu ordered everyone to close shop and join buses numbering over 100.
A Pharmaceutical products dealer, said: “We were shocked at what happened today (Tuesday). When we got to the market, we were caught unawares by a purported order from the Oba of Lagos, directing all traders to close shop and join a bus heading for Ambode’s campaign.
“We were shocked by this directive, because we were never informed the previous day (Monday) about this directive. More worrisome is the fact that I lost millions of Naira because of this self-serving coercion by the Oba.”
Another trader said: “I feel this recent forceful directive by the Oba is in fulfilment of his recent threat to deal with Ndigbo if they failed to vote for his preferred candidate. But as far as I am concerned, no amount of threat or coercion will deter me from making my choice at the forthcoming governorship election in Lagos State”.
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