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Alaba Market Traders President Refutes Demolition Notice Claims
Traders at the renowned Alaba International market in Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State are expressing their distress after several of their properties were unlawfully demolished.
The market, which is predominantly occupied by Igbo traders, has been facing a demolition crisis that has caused significant concern among the business community.
During a visit to the demolition site, Hon. Geofrey Udochukwu Mbonu, the President-General of Alaba Amalgamated Council of Sectional Heads, strongly refuted the claims made by officials from the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) regarding prior warning notices.
Mbonu explained that the market’s leadership was not consulted or informed about any proposed demolition plans.
He further revealed that armed policemen accompanied the officials who arrived at the market on Friday, June 16th, 2023, without seeking a meeting with the market’s representatives.
Mbonu expressed sadness over the development,stating that the government took them unawares, carrying out the exercise unexpectedly, causing severe damage to traders.
He said “We are under a local government, where huge revenue is generated,we pay tax and what government did was to demolish our buildings alongside,the victims wares within the space of two days,”
According to Mbonu, the unfortunate chain of events began on Friday, June 16th, 2023, when officials from the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LSSBCA) and armed policemen were observed within the market premises.
Subsequently, on Sunday, traders’ properties were demolished.
Highlighting some of the claims put forward by the government, Mbonu mentioned that certain structures were allegedly constructed on waterways, resulting in the obstruction of drainages and contributing to flooding, particularly during the rainy seasons.
He also emphasized that Lagos has historically been a swampy area, and the Igbo traders have always played a significant role in the development of the state.
Expressing their grievances, the traders clarified that they do not oppose the government’s fulfillment of its primary responsibilities.
However, they strongly criticize the manner in which the authorities have carried out the demolitions, without providing prior warning notices and lacking a humane approach to resolve the issue.
Mbonu further revealed that during each visit, the officials demanded authorization papers without issuing any notice of demolition.
He pointed out that buildings located near the canal, which had been identified as dilapidated and distressed, had been marked for demolition for several years.
However, the officials consistently requested paperwork on each visit. Mbonu questioned the destruction of new buildings that were not in proximity to the canal, including their secretariat and other recently constructed structures, which were also demolished by LASBCA.
He said “Authorization paper implies. If your building is in a very bad condition you will be told to break it. Lagos state is a swampy area, when they came last year, what they asked was paper.
“It was about two weeks ago they came with armed policemen to the market, I saw them,they didn’t contact the leadership of the market about demolition.
“This market is under the Local Government They only spoke about it on Friday, June 16th,2023. They didn’t give traders time to vacate the place. The demolition took place with our goods and documents destroyed.
“This is one of the biggest market in West Africa that should not be toiled with. Revenue generation in Alaba is enormous. The tiers of government is supposed to carry, Alaba traders along in their decision because they are Nigerians.
“I am the leader of one of the sections demolished by the government.My office is gone,our secretariat we build recently have been demolished. As traders we were not aware of the imminent demolition of certain structures in the market.” He added
Chief Camillus Amajuoyi, the President of Alaba International Market Association’s electronics section, expressed his surprise at the unexpected demolition.
He stated that not only were the authorities demolishing structures that were in good condition, but they were also destroying dilapidated ones in the process.
He said “The LASBCA issued a notice on Friday, June 16th, they came with armed policemen,So I made some calls I called Ojo Local Government Chairman to inform him of the development.
“I inquired if he was aware that properties are being destroyed in Alaba.The Ojo LG chairman said he was aware, he started that the properties that would be destroyed were the ones marked for years.
Amajuoyi expressed his shock and disbelief upon witnessing the extent of the ongoing demolitions. He recounted contacting the Local Government (LG) boss, who explained that the demolitions were being carried out as a preventive measure to avert potential disasters and protect lives.
The LG boss stated that he was also taken aback when his Chief Security Officer informed him about the demolition activities.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) have disclosed details of their recent closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu, explaining that the engagement focused on strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The clarification came amid speculation surrounding the meeting, which took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja after leaders of several opposition parties attended an Iftar dinner hosted by the president earlier in the week.
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Speaking during a gathering hosted in Abuja by the SDP’s former presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo on Friday, the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Sadiq Gombe, said the meeting with Tinubu followed an official invitation from the Presidency and lasted about an hour.
According to Gombe, the discussion centred on the need to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral laws and restore public confidence in the country’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 polls.
He explained that the meeting provided an opportunity for party leaders to remind the president of the importance of conducting transparent, free, and credible elections.
Gombe noted that democracy can only thrive when governments listen to the concerns of citizens and ensure electoral processes that guarantee fairness and accountability.
The SDP chairman also expressed concern over growing voter apathy, pointing to the low turnout recorded in the recent Area Council election in the Federal Capital Territory.
He said the Abuja Municipal Area Council election witnessed only about seven per cent voter turnout, which he described as a clear sign that many Nigerians are losing confidence in the electoral system.
Gombe urged the government and members of the National Assembly to take urgent steps to review electoral laws and rebuild public trust in Nigeria’s democracy.
Also speaking, the National Chairman of IPAC, Dr. Yusuf Dantalle, said political parties used the meeting to raise concerns about aspects of proposed electoral reforms, particularly issues related to indirect primaries and the mandatory electronic transmission of results.
Dantalle explained that the parties appealed to the president to use his influence to encourage legislative review where necessary, noting that reforms should strengthen, rather than complicate, the democratic process.
He expressed optimism that Tinubu would consider the concerns raised and support necessary amendments that would improve the electoral system.
The IPAC chairman also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strictly adhere to electoral guidelines as preparations for the next election cycle begin.
Earlier in his remarks, Adebayo cautioned political actors against turning the 2027 general elections into a do-or-die contest, stressing that the primary goal of democracy should be the progress and stability of Nigeria rather than personal political victories.
He urged leaders across political parties to encourage citizens to actively participate in the democratic process and ensure that elections are conducted peacefully and transparently.
President Bola Tinubu and Mr. Taiwo Oyedele during his nomination on Wednesday.
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