Ex Market Chairman Accuses Gov. Uzodimma of Using Alaba Market Demolition to Campaign for Reelection
From Marcel Duru, Owerri
The former chairman of Alaba International Market Chief Charles Uzoh has accused the Governor of Imo State Senator Hope Uzodimma of using the demolition of Alaba International Market led by the Lagos government of Alhaji Babajide Sanwolu constructed by Igbo traders to campaign for his reelection as governor of Imo State.
Speaking at the Young Shall Grow Office, Mazamaza, in Lagos through phone conversation.
He lamented that since they have completed the Alaba International Market , Lagos State, successive Governments of the State were not happy with Igbo traders.
Uzoh however stated that what Governor Uzodimma should have done was to assist those who were affected in the demolition exercise and give enabling ground to invest in South East in general and Imo State in Particular, stressing that since he has visited the governor of Lagos on the issue it has became a campaign slogan in different Media organization across the globe that Governor Uzodimma visited Lagos State governor to stop demolition of Alaba International Market.
He further projected that on various occasion the Governor of Lagos State Alhaji Babajide Sanwolu has one on one told Igbo traders in Lagos to go and develop the South East and never concentrate on Lagos State alone, adding that it was not only Alhaji Sanwolu that told Igbo traders to leave Lagos.
“We want to develop business empires in the South East as we have done in Lagos and many other states in Nigeria if our State governors could support us”
Uzoh disclosed that Imo State government constructed Ekeonunwa Market in 2021 and published to sell the shop at two million naira and after buying forms they increased the prise from two million to twenty million naira and up til now the shops were under lock and key which demonstrated incompetence, diversionary and ineptitude of the government.
“Every reasonable person can not encourage Igbos to continue investing in Lagos State having seen what they have done to Igbos in different part of Lagos including Ajao Estate, computer haven at Ikeja, and Alaba International Market amongst others.
“Since Governor Hope Uzodimma involved in this case our condition have became worst as their police and agboros have started seizing our goods, and judging from the experience the Igbos had in the just concluded general election in Nigeria it had clearly shown that we are not wanted not only in Lagos State, but Nigeria in general”
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