- Eviction Notice: The Lagelu Local Government Council has issued a quit notice to traders, citing modernization plans for the market.
- Traders’ Concerns: They fear being excluded from reallocation and losing their livelihoods.
- Peaceful Protest: Traders staged a protest at the Oyo State Government Secretariat, carrying placards and seeking Governor Seyi Makinde’s intervention.
- Previous Threats: Demolition threats have been made over the past three years without agreement or discussion.
- Personal Stories: Traders, including a single mother, shared their struggles and fears about the eviction’s impact on their lives.
- Next Steps: The traders were told to return later as government officials were unavailable, and they remain optimistic about finding a resolution.
Traders from Alegongo Market in Ibadan are pleading with Governor Seyi Makinde to intervene in their eviction crisis. The traders received a quit notice from the Lagelu Local Government Council, citing modernization plans for the market. However, the traders are concerned that this might lead to them being sidelined during reallocation.
The traders staged a peaceful protest at the Oyo State Government Secretariat, carrying placards with heartfelt messages. Some of the placards read, “Alegongo Market: We are begging our dear governor to please have mercy on us” and “Your Excellency, we are begging you, please don’t let them demolish our shops.”
The traders, including a single mother and makeup artist, Mrs. Blessing Jacob, shared their struggles and fears about the eviction’s impact on their lives. They emphasized that they have been threatened with demolition for the past three years, but there has been no agreement or discussion between the traders and the local government regarding this decision.
The traders believe that Governor Makinde is their only hope and are seeking his intervention to prevent their expulsion from their shops. They were told to return later as government officials were unavailable, but they remain optimistic about finding a resolution that will allow them to maintain their businesses and livelihoods.
