The Lagos State Government has pleaded with the aggrieved parties in Alaba Rago market in Iba Local Council Development Area of the state to eschew violence and follow the path of peace pending the selection of new leaders for the market.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Hon. Muslim Folami visited the market on Monday to mediate and douse the brewing tension between the loyalists of two factional leaders within the market – Alhaji Dan Alli Malami and Alhaji Umaru Nagogo Sokoto.

He informed the various groups within the market that the State government prioritizes mutual and peaceful co-existence of all residents and is ready to do everything possible to achieve the objective.

Speaking further, the Commissioner explained that the intervention of the State Government became necessary considering the alarming rate which the lingering crisis took, adding that such development portends danger for the market, the community and the state at large.

He used the visit to dissolve all existing committees in the market, assuring that a reconciliatory meeting would soon be convened to put an end to the leadership tussle within the market through a new market management committee that will be acceptable to all.

He announced that Alhaji Umaru Nagogo Sokoto, the Seriki Hausawa should continue to perform his functions as the Hausas’ sectional market leader pending further directives from the State Government.

While maintaining that the ownership and control of market resides with the Local Government with the Ministry acting only in supervisory role, Folami condemned in strong terms the unhygienic and dirty condition of the market, charging the leaders and operators to key into the new initiative of the State government aimed at getting rid of all environmental nuisances.

According to the Commissioner, the proposed Blue Rail project that will terminate at Okokomaiko area of the state and the importance of Badagry corridor as the gateway to other ECOWAS countries make it more imperative for the axis to reflect the cleaner and greener initiative of the State Government.

The Executive Chairman, Iba Local Council Development Area, Princess Ramota Oseni, expressed delight at the visit and appealed to warring parties to remain calm and give the State Government the chance to amicably resolve the issue which, she was optimistic, would be favourable to all.

Recall that the crisis in the market resulted from the rejection of the Alhaji Dan Alli Malami led Committee (who is the current leader of the market) as the management committee for the market and the clamour for Alhaji Umaru Nagogo Sokoto as the new Seriki Hausawa of the market.

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