Erstwhile aide to then Governor, Babatunde Fashola, on Women Ethnic Group Mobilisation/Empowerment, Barr Nkechi Chukwueke, yesterday clarified that the demolition of the popular Owonifari Market in Oshodi area was not targeted at the Igbo or any other ethnic group.
This was as she pointed out that traders from other ethnic groups were also affected in the exercise, which, according to her, “was carried out in good faith and in accordance with the rule of law.”
The All Progressives Congress, APC chieftain showered encomium on the State Government for taking the bold move, urging the Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, to focus on his task of ensuring a crime-free Lagos that would be conducive for all.
According to her, “I have told a lot of my people from the East that the exercise was carried out in good faith by the State Government to rid Lagos of crime, restore sanity to the area and ensure that the master plan of Lagos State was not tampered with.
“From facts available, the State Government gave enough notice to the traders there and even provided alternative market for them to relocate, but many of them refused to go because they believed they won’t make much sales if they go to the new place.
“The truth is, we must rally round the Governor to ensure that Lagos works. The Governor means well for Lagos and he stands to gain nothing by demolishing people’s shops. There are laws of the land and they must be obeyed by all for the state to progress,” she added.
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