Following ban on the operations of commercial motorcycles, popularly known as okada, in six local governments by the Lagos state government, some leaders of the Hausa community in Lagos State have pleaded to the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to reverse the directive.
The leaders claimed that the Hausa Okada riders shouldn’t be restrained financially and they contribute significantly to the voting population of Lagos state.
On Wednesday, Sanwo-Olu released an order that okada activities be restricted in six local governments – Ikeja, Surulere, Eti-Osa, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, and Apapa.
The governor said the ban has come to stay and it shall be enforced without compromise.
Reacting to the directive, the Seriki of Obalende, Saliu Waziri, said the government should have a rethink about the directive because Lagos state cannot operate without bikes because of its traffic situation.
He added that the government should instead get the data of Okada riders in each local government so as to identify who to pick when any issue arises.
Similarly, the Seriki Hausa of Ajah, Ibrahim Ngoma, aligned with the position of his Obalende counterpart that the government should consider the voting population of Hausa Okada riders in Lagos.
Also speaking on the issue, the Seriki Hausa in Shasha, Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos said the okada riders help the government during elections with votes as the voting population of the Hausa Okada riders in Lagos is not something the government wants to joke with.
