- Chief Olabode George urges Lagos Governor to stop harassment of traders by officials, emphasizing traders are not criminals
- George criticizes current approach to street trading enforcement, calling for dignity and respect for traders amid economic hardships
Chief Olabode George, former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has called on Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to end the harassment of traders by government officials and security agents.
In an open letter, George, also known as the Atona Oodua of Yorubaland, emphasized that Lagos traders are not criminals and urged authorities to treat them with respect. He criticized the current approach, stating that while Lagos is known as the “Centre of Excellence,” security agents and government officials do not treat traders with dignity.
George noted that enforcing the state’s environmental law, which prohibits street trading, has led to frequent arrests and confiscation of traders’ goods by the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) officials, especially targeting roadside vendors and those selling in traffic. He also highlighted the financial burden traders face from multiple levies, extortion by thugs, and even physical harassment.
However, Bode George said, “Apart from lamenting the multiple levies they pay to councils and at the same time subjected to extortion most horrendously by some thugs and rough-necks, they are also harassed and flogged like criminals.”
The PDP leader stated that street trading has been part of the culture and tradition of Lagos for decades, where he was born.
He pointed out that many professionals, such as lawyers, doctors, engineers, accountants, and others, were “financed educationally by what their parents made through street trading,” adding that street trading exists in London, New York, and other advanced cities.
“What authorities in those climes do is to regulate street trading, not to subject traders to despicable treatment,” he said.
In the letter, George noted that some traders and hawkers stay on the roadside where they pay government officials daily due to the harsh and hostile economy in the land as they cannot secure a shop for as high as N1m.
He said, “In the 21st Century, it is an act of wickedness for government officials to be treating street traders like bandits and terrorists in Lagos State.
“Where is our dignity? Why should officials subject them to harrowing experiences daily?
“They are not armed robbers and they should not be treated as such. It is despicable to treat street traders like terrorists. They are just trying to survive and Lagos is not the only place where we have street traders.”
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