Former Ladipo Auto Market leader returns, tasks Mushin LG chair on peace
The embattled former leader of Ladipo Auto Market in Matori area of Lagos State, Jonathan Chibuzor Okoli, will resume normal business activities at the Aguiyi Ironsi Complex at the market today.
Okoli kept away from the market for over four years following incessant crises that rocked the auto market for many years, coupled with his involvement in an auto accident which almost claimed his life along Shagamu-IjebuOde road.
Giving reasons why he decided to come back to the market, the President of Aguiyi Ironsi Traders Complex informed that as a businessman he would not continue to stay at home while his businesses diminish. Moreover, the auto dealer told newsmen in Lagos yesterday that his health condition which deteriorated as a result of the auto accident he had in 2012, seems to have improved, and that is why he wants to come back and resume business in the market.
“Since 2012, I have never stepped into the market. Now there is a new leadership in the market which is the choice of the Local Government Council. They imposed the leadership in the market against the will of the traders. I am going back to the market but I am not going to challenge them. I am going back to do my business and not to contest or fight anybody. I am going to my shop. In the market, I am one of the major stakeholders; I have a plaza with many shops at the Ladipo Market,” Okoli said.
Apart from an improvement on his health condition, the market leader who informed that the Lagos State Government was misled by the former local government chairman, in his own case, pointed out that the new local government chairman seems to be a man of peace who has all it takes to settle the crises in the market, just as he noted that the market now has a leadership that the powers that be want. He therefore, appealed to the local government chairman to use his office and ensure that peace returns completely to the market.
“I feel that the state government was misled by the former Local Government Chairman. They were misled by saying I was the cause of the crises. Why I stayed away for the 4 years is for Lagos State people to know that I am not the cause of the problem. They now know it because even after I left, the problem is still there. I inherited the problem. They only wanted to take the leadership by force. That was why I looked at it and said, let me move away from the market”.
He however, believes strongly that the new chairman has all it takes to make peace and fix the lingering crises in Ladipo market. “The new Local Government Chairman spoke wisely and excellently when we discussed recently. He gave me confidence that he is a man of peace. In my presence, he told the other party that they are wrong in what they are doing. He told them openly that this man is your leader and you must work with him.
The Local Government is a man of peace and I believe he stands for peace. He made is clear to us that the governor does not want any problem in Lagos State. He encouraged us to make peace, emphasizing that the state wants peace everywhere. The Local Government Chairman has a role to play in Ladipo auto market crises because he has the authority to stand on what he wants. Again, any decision he takes, I believe is the way forward”, Okoli said.
Okoli who apologized to those he may have offended knowingly or unknowingly to forgive him, promised that he was only going back to the market to make peace and face his business squarely, undermining what may have happened in the past.
He said “my message is so simple. I am coming with non-violence. I am coming back to do business. And those who feel I have offended them knowingly or unknowingly, they should sheath their sword. Let’s go back and do our business. Changing leadership is not by fight or attacks; it is only by voting. The vote shows what the people want”.
He equally added that he was a victim of conspiracy and instigation by the former Mushin Local Government Chairman even when he was remitting as much as over N12 million to them at that time.
Okoli also advised the authorities to address the Ladipo crises once and for all, so that more lives would not be lost just as he pointed out that some who came out from the prisons may not be happy with the system.
On how to pacify all parties involved in the crises, the market leaders said “I am pleading with the Lagos State, Mushin LGA and all the authorities to look at Ladipo environs and do something for the traders because there is no road, drainage and it is very bad. If they do that, it will make the traders feel that they are part of them and have a sense of belonging. They can do it because they collect huge sums from the traders”.
Expressing regrets, the market leader said “as it is now, I cannot fight for the people anymore. I used all my resources fighting for Ladipo traders which they are willing to pay me back. But the leadership said no, that they will not pay. However, I know they will pay because there are evidences. If I go to the court, I will get it back but I chose not to go to court because I want to make peace process”.
Mr. Okoli’s problems started sometime in in 2007 after he was elected as the President and leader of the market. As a leader, he faced many attacks, especially from the Mushin Local Government Council which he said was bent on taking away the leadership from the traders’ choice.
