Other News
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 Labour Party has commended former President Goodluck Jonathan for conceding defeat in the 2015 presidential election, saying his decision demonstrated that political power was not worth the blood of Nigerians.
The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Senator Nenadi Usman, made the statement on Tuesday in Bauchi State while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue.
SEE MORE: Court Sacks Abure, Orders INEC to Recognise Nenadi Usman-led LP Caretaker Committee
The event, organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, was themed, “Beyond Elections: Can Political Parties and the Judiciary Save African Democracy?”
Usman said Nigeria’s democracy survived the tensions surrounding the 2015 election because Jonathan chose to put the national interest above his desire to remain in office.
She said, “Nigeria’s democracy survived the doomsday predictions of bookmakers in 2015 because of President Jonathan’s concession of defeat in that year’s election, even before the final votes were tallied.”
According to her, Jonathan’s approach to politics was exceptional, particularly because he had consistently maintained that neither his election nor remaining in power was worth the blood of any Nigerian.
Usman stated, “Such a principled approach to politics had never before been witnessed on the Nigerian political horizon. Jonathan, from the inception of his presidency, consistently maintained that neither his election nor remaining in power was worth the blood of any Nigerian.”
She added that Jonathan demonstrated the sincerity of his position when the 2015 election tested his commitment to the principle.
The Labour Party chairman urged politicians preparing for the 2027 general elections to emulate Jonathan’s non-violent approach to politics, respect democratic rules and place national interest above personal ambitions.
She also questioned whether politicians seeking the presidency in 2027 would be prepared to make similar sacrifices for national unity, particularly amid inflammatory rhetoric from some political camps.
Usman further recalled the saying attributed to Warren Buffett that someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.
She argued that Nigerians are able to practise democracy today partly because Jonathan made sacrifices at a critical moment.
On the Labour Party’s preparations for the 2027 elections, Usman described the party as the most structured opposition political party in Nigeria.
She said the Labour Party’s relationship with the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress had strengthened its political structure nationwide.
Usman claimed that the party remained the only opposition party with a realistic presence across Nigeria’s 186,000 polling units.
She said, “With the combined strength of the NLC and the TUC, both of which are constitutional members of the party, no Nigerian political party is better positioned to show the APC government the exit door than the Labour Party.”
The democracy dialogue attracted several political leaders and dignitaries, including former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice-President Namadi Sambo, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Others included former Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang, APC Deputy National Chairman, South, Dr Ben Nwoye, and the Emir of Bauchi, Dr Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu.
The dialogue provided a platform for discussions on strengthening democratic institutions, the role of political parties and the judiciary, and preventing democratic reversals across Africa.
Nigeria has recorded another major achievement on the international stage as the Mountain Top Chorale of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) emerged champion of the 2026 World Choir Games in Helsingborg, Sweden.
The Nigerian choir clinched the gold medal in the Spiritual Category (C14), scoring an impressive 87.38 points in the competition conducted by Oluwasegun Okedunmola.
The feat was celebrated by the General Overseer of MFM, Daniel Olukoya, who described the victory as a major moment of pride for Nigeria and the ministry.
SEE MORE: Harith concludes acquisition of FMFML
In a Monday Facebook post, Olukoya wrote, “A CHAMPION’S SOUND! GOLD FOR MOUNTAIN TOP CHORALE!”
According to him, the choir secured two major honours at the 2026 competition, including the gold medal in the Spiritual Category and the overall championship in the Champions Competition.
He said the achievement went beyond music, describing it as a demonstration of “discipline, excellence, dedication, teamwork and the power of using our gifts to glorify God.”
Olukoya also commended the choristers, conductor, leadership of the choir and everyone whose sacrifices and commitment contributed to the success.
The World Choir Games, organised by Interkultur, is regarded as the world’s largest international choir competition. The 2026 edition is being held in Helsingborg from August 6 to 16.
The host organisation said about 8,500 singers from more than 40 countries are participating, with more than 160 choirs taking part in the competition, concerts and other activities.
The 2026 edition is also the first time the World Choir Games are being held in Sweden.
Mountain Top Chorale’s victory places the Nigerian choir among the top performers at the global choral event and further highlights Nigeria’s presence in international gospel and choral music.
Celebrating the achievement, Olukoya said, “From Nigeria to the world, Mountain Top Chorale has raised the banner high.”
He concluded his message by congratulating the choir and giving glory to God for the historic achievement.
Former presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resign over what he described as “failure in governance,” drawing comparisons with political accountability in other democracies following the resignation announcement of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
In a statement posted on his official X account on Monday, Obi said he had followed Starmer’s resignation speech and reflected on what he described as the importance of leadership responsibility in democratic governance.
ALSO READ: UK PM Keir Starmer Resigns
“As a keen observer of global politics, my primary interest lies in examining what successful nations do right and the structural factors that cause others to lag or struggle with governance and development,” Obi said.
He noted that Starmer’s decision followed growing public dissatisfaction over economic challenges, rising cost of living, and unmet campaign promises in the United Kingdom.
Obi then drew parallels with Nigeria, recalling that before the 2015 general elections, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had repeatedly called on then-President Goodluck Jonathan to resign over insecurity.
“During the Chibok school kidnapping incident, he demanded the immediate resignation of President Jonathan, arguing that the government had failed in its most fundamental duty of protecting lives,” Obi stated.
He also referenced campaign promises made by Tinubu during the 2023 elections, including commitments to improve electricity supply, tackle corruption, and enhance the welfare of Nigerians.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made several promises, including improved electricity supply. He also challenged the electorate not to vote for him for a second term if he failed to deliver on those commitments,” Obi said.
According to him, conditions in the country have since deteriorated, with persistent power shortages, worsening insecurity, and deepening economic hardship.
“At present, however, these conditions have worsened. Electricity supply remains unreliable, insecurity has intensified in many areas, including kidnappings, and economic hardship has deepened rather than eased,” he added.
Obi further argued that other sectors, including infrastructure, transportation, and anti-corruption efforts, had also suffered setbacks, insisting that Nigeria is currently in “the worst possible condition.”
The opposition figure therefore called on President Tinubu to step down, saying such a move would promote accountability in public office.
“I, therefore, join Nigerians of goodwill in calling for the resignation of the President over monumental failure in governance,” Obi said.
He added that resignation would help foster “a political culture rooted in accountability and responsibility” and reinforce the idea that “public office is a sacred trust, not an entitlement,” stressing the need for what he called “a New Nigeria that is possible.”
Fire Ravages Gombe Technology Centre, N4m Property Lost
Pipeline Surveillance Crucial for $50bn Upstream Investment
Tinubu Approves New Deep Offshore Policy to Unlock $50bn Investment
NMDPRA Moots 5% Turnover Penalty to Discourage Oil Industry Infractions
OPEC Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Oil Output on Nigeria’s Economy
2027 Presidency: ADP Candidate Raises Alarm Over Plot to Replace Him
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
