Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Lagos State governorship candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has promised to rebuild the Spare Parts Market, Akere in Olodi-Apapa, which was Wednesday morning allegedly burnt by unidentified political thugs.
The LP governorship hopeful who visited the market to sympathised with the traders and condemned the barbaric incident.
He cautioned against politics of bitterness or victimisation of people because of their political choice.
“I am on the ground in Akere Market, Ifelodun to assess the damage done by a fire allegedly set by an arsonist & political thugs.
“This is most unfortunate. Our politics should be about ideas, not violence.
“Ajegunle people, do not be intimidated. We will rebuild together.
“Lagos is built on harmony and cooperation, it is the center of excellence, despicable violence & fanning the flames of ethnic tension has no place in this beautiful state.
“We all have to live together in Lagos after the elections. No political ambition is worth the lives or livelihood of our people.
“No place should be threatened or destroyed for having differing political choices. It breaks my heart to see this happen in Lagos, it must end.”
According to a viral video it was alleged that unknown political thugs came and set the market on fire and in the process, killed a security man who begged them not to burn the market.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Council, Hon. Fatai Ayoola Ebie who was among the early callers to the scene, expressed shock over the unfortunate incident.
While at the scene, he sympathised with the traders, and appealed for calm.
The Council boss ordered an investigation into the cause of the incident, assuring the traders of government’s resolve to rebuild the market.
He, however, cautioned against speculations over the cause of the incident without empirical evidence.
“We would like to caution against inflammatory reactions that could compound the already tense situation.
“Those who are insinuating unfounded rumours should be reminded that the Council Secretariat itself had been gutted by fire before. So also was the Alayabiagba Modern Market at Boundary. On both occasions, there were no jejune rhetoric.”
According to a statement by the Supervisor, Information, Strategy and Communication, Samson Idowu-Alaba, the affected market has been condoned off and security agencies directed to mount a 24-hour surveillance in order to keep-off urchins from looting the remains of the wreckage.
“Hon. Ayoola reassures the people of the Local Government of their safety and that of their properties and enjoins the people to go about their normal businesses as normalcy is being restored,” the statement said.
Ikengaonline reports that since the February 25 presidential election, which the Labour Party led by Peter Obi, defeated Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Igbo lives, properties and livelihoods have come under threat in Lagos State ahead of the March 11, governorship and state assembly elections.
