The hausa community in Lagos State has asked the governor of the state, Babajide Sanwo-Olu to rescind his ban on commercial motorcyclists in the state, promising him massive vote in the 2023 gubernatorial election.
This follows the ban of all activities of commercial motorcyclists popular as Okada by the state government.
The government banned Okada on state highways such as Ikeja, Surulere, Eti-Osa, Lagos Mainland, Lagos Island, and Apapa from June 1.
Reacting to the development, leaders of the Hausa community in Lagos State urged the governor to reverse the ban on Okada. They pointed out that the Hausa community has a huge voting population in Lagos State and they contribute to votes during election.
Speaking with Punch, the Seriki of Obalende, Saliu Waziri, said that rather than ban commercial motorcyclists, many of whom are from northern Nigeria, the government should get the data of Okada riders in Lagos to fish out any intruder or criminally-minded fellows.
He said: “This issue has taken us a long time and we have been trying to put our members on the line. I want to advise the government to rethink its decision because Lagos can’t operate without bikes because of traffic. Government should register Okada riders in each local government to know those working in any local government. By so doing, the government would know who to pick when any issue arises.
“Some of our members stay here in Lagos and vote during elections. That should count for something because we contribute to votes during elections. The government should change the system of Okada riders not stopping them.”
On his part, the Seriki Hausa of Ajah, Ibrahim Ngoma, said that the government should consider the voting population of Hausa Okada riders in Lagos.
He opined thus: “Truth be told, Governor Sanwo-Olu has been understanding with Okada people unlike Governor (Babatunde) Fashola. Okada members should obey the law while I appeal to Governor Sanwo-Olu to look into the matter and lift the ban before the election because the ban is affecting my people.”
Recall that the ban on Okada followed the killing and burning of David Imoh, popular as David Sound. He was killed by commercial motorcyclists in the Lekki axis of the state.
“We will not sit back and watch criminally-minded people use that mode of transportation to perpetrate crimes and criminality in Lagos. Lives are being lost on a daily basis, preventable accidents are happening every day and the riders are not respecting any of our traffic laws.
“The situation has led to a complete breakdown of law and order. This ban has come to stay and we will not tolerate any weakness in enforcement,” ,” Sanwo-Olu said as he banned commercial motorcycles.
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