You begged us for votes, we voted for you yet demolished our market – Alaba marketers cry out

Business men and women at the Alaba International Market are crying out following the demolishing of 17 distressed building in the market.

The Alaba International Market is a place where electronics are sold and repaired. It is known as the largest electronic market in Nigeria.

On Monday, June 19, officials of the LASBCA stormed the market located in Ojo with armed security men to pull down some Plazas.

The buildings were said to have been marked for demolition on Friday, June 16, although the government said they had given several notices to the occupants of the structures.

However, in a video making rounds, the marketers lamented over the failure of government to give them ample time before demolishing the structures.

They complain that the executives of the Alaba International Market are new as some have been in position for a year or two.

Geofrey Udochukwu Mbonu, the President of the Alaba International Market called out the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu for turning a blind eye to their plight.

According to him, Sanwo-Olu visited the market during the elections to beg for votes and despite some of them voting for him, he resulted to demolishing their structures.

He noted that the Alaba International Market rakes in billions of Naira into the purse of the federal government of Nigeria.

He said;

“These are your citizens, this are your brothers, these are your people, why can’t you give them time. If truly since 2016 they’ve come to issue this notice, what about the new government and new generation that do not know what is going on?

Actually, the Governor visited us during the campaign, Mr Governor you visited us, you’re our friend, even though during the election some people voted according to their conscience, we voted for you because we love you, you’re our friend. You can’t tell me that you’re not seeing this thing that is happening to us? Even if this thing is going to take place, why don’t you do it in a right way, why don’t you give your people at least an ear, why don’t you hear from the leaders of Alaba, you know me as the President. You know my brother as the President of IMA, you know my brother as the President of UBA, you know all of us. Why don’t you tell them to tell their people to pack their things. Give us one month, two months, its not too much.”

As I said earlier, we all know the reason why the demolishing is going on but let's act like we don't know.

Hear it from the LEADERSHIP of Alaba International Market Traders.

We can't keep playing politics with people's source of livelihood. pic.twitter.com/MRAUURHo6C

— SportsDokita (Odogwu ☝️) (@Sports_Doctor2) June 19, 2023