Reports have it that tension is high at the Ladipo Market in Mushin Local Government Area of Lagos State, with the traders about to take to the streets in protest.
The reason is that, as they turned up for business at the market this morning, they found the market securely locked and armed mobile policemen were keeping watch to ensure that nobody gained entry. Two Toyota Hilux vans belonging to OP MESA were packed in front of the main gate, while a tipper soon arrived to discharge gravel.
Further reports have it that, the market leaders were told that the Mushin Local Government Council wants to rebuild the famous spare parts market. The mainly Igbo traders are, however, crying foul and alleging political victimisation by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for voting for the defeated Peoples Democratic party (PDP) in the last general elections. Market leader Kingsley Ogonor is said to be on his way to the Mushin Local Government Secretariat to lodge a complaint.
“This is nothing but political vendetta,” an Igbo leader who spoke to reporters at the Ladipo Market said. “There was no prior information, the traders were not even allowed to carry their goods from their shops and no foundation has been dug anywhere in the market, so the claim of shutting down the market so as to rebuild it is not tenable,” the source added.