A social political group, Ladoja Political Movement, has condemned what it called the unwarranted attack and killings at Bodija market in Ibadan where several lives were lost and so many wounded including school children over attempts by Oyo State APC led government to forcefully relocate Butchers from the market.
The group, in a statement by its director general, Alhaji Rafiu Afuku said the issue is worrisome and quite disturbing.
“Despite the carnage and wanton loss of lives as a result of activities of herdsmen and kidnappers in Oyo State, the Oyo State government feel unconcerned and instead of being a solution provider it is the one closing legitimate businesses where it has no jurisdiction.
“For clarity sake, Paragraph 1(e) of the Fourth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution provides: “The main function of a Local Government council are as follows:
(e) establishment, maintenance and regulation of slaughter houses, slaughter slabs, markets, motor parks and conveniences…”
“Going by the above constitutional provisions, slaughter houses and slabs are within the purview and jurisdiction of the local government council and not within the power of the State government.
“On what basis is the Ajimobi led government coercing abattoirs owners in the eleven local governments in Ibadan to relocate to a privately owned abattoir at Amosun village in Akinyele local government? Thus taxes and fees that supposed to accrue to the eleven local governments will now be going to a private business pocket leading to loss of revenues to the local governments.
“One could recollect same way Ogunpa Oyo traders were ejected only for the government to allocate the market space to a private investor who built lock-up shops eventually put up for rent at un-affordable prices running into millions of Naira which is beyond the reach of average traders.
“An impeccable source has also informed Ladoja Political Movements that Gate Spare Parts Market is the next in line to be relocated without providing an enabling alternative place. The aims and objectives of the relocation is the vantage location of the market which is considered attractive to some powerful business interests close to the top echelons in the government circle.
“However, in line with the philosophy of Sen Rashidi Ladoja, no citizens of Oyo State will be allowed to be cheated and the Ladoja Political Movement is hereby calling on the State government under the leadership of Sen Abiola Ajimobi to henceforth cease all hostilities against the butchers and allow them to carry on with their legitimate businesses without hindrances nor molestation.
“As part of Sen Rashidi Ladoja’s commitment to the suffering masses of Oyo State, Ladoja Political Movement won’t abandon them at the hours of needs.”
