The groups under the aegis of Market Leaders and Traders Association of Nigeria, Lagos State, made the call following the recent demolition of furniture section of Alaba International Market by the Lagos Building and Control Agency (LASBCA).
President of the groups, Chris Okpala, said the recent statements made by Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, on enactment of anti-ethnic laws, triggered uproar in the business community, alleging that such legislation was anti-people.
The Guardian gathered that the legislation is intended to make laws regarding property and the economy to protect indigenes of the state.
Obasa had in his acceptance speech after his re-election for the third time, declared that Lagos is a Yoruba land and that laws passed by the assembly will now be translated to Yoruba language, adding that laws will be made to protect the interests of indigenous people of Lagos, while also noting that lawmakers will reverse all that is reversible to protect the interest of the indigenes.
However, on the demolition, which he alleged was instigated by sentiments, Okpala urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to compensate victims adequately on their losses.
“We are watching all these ill treatments, but I can assure you that our silence is not a weakness. I don’t understand the meaning of ‘Commerce Bill’ and others emanating from Lagos House of Assembly. But we are working with some legal luminaries to propose new bills and amends existing laws that are not favourable to business men and women. The multiple taxation in the state is killing,” he said.
Okpala, who applauded the Peace Committee set up by Sanwo- Olu and his Imo counterparts, Hope Uzodimma, urged Igbos to think home by way of investment to balance the economic disequilibrium.
He added that they would embark on reconciliation excercise to mend broken walls for peace and progress to prevail.
“This exercise would involve traditional leaders, chairmen of LGDAs, religious leaders, all indigenous and non- indigenous tribes. Lagos belongs to everyone. Some of us are indigene by birth, nationality and other forms. We refused to be targets of thuggery and unprovoked destruction. We are not politicians, every paid and violence non-state actors should leave us alone. We are for peace,” he said.
