29th June, 2015
Cyriacus Izuekwe
The President-General of Ladipo Market, Comrade Kingsley Ogunor, has tightened security around the market over leadership crisis that erupted in the market following the recent judgment of the Federal High Court in Lagos State, western Nigeria.
Justice Mohammed Yunusa in his ruling nullified the election of the executives of Ladipo main market during which Ogunor emerged as president of the central body.
The opposing camp in the market led by Felix Okoro has threatened to form a new executive within seven days in the wake of the judgment.
Ogunor who is the president of the central body called Ladipo Auto Central Executive Committee, LACEC, said he had to beef up security in the market to forestall any break down of law and order following plans by Okoro’s camp to take over the market within seven days.
Apart from contacting the various security agents who have since manned strategic positions around the market, Ogunor has equally reshuffled the taskforce by appointing a new chairman identified as Emmanuel to provide adequate security in the market.
Speaking on the judgment and threat by the opposition leader, Okoro, to take over the leadership of the market, Ogunor said he was still in charge because the judgment did not affect his election as president of the market under LACEC.
He explained that he contested election as president of LACEC in compliance with the constitution of LACEC.
He said before he contested for the position as president, he was the chairman of a unit in the main market and won the election before the judgment that nullified it.
He said LACEC constitution under section 13, subsection 2, stipulates that chairmen of units and directors of warehouses are qualified to contest for the position of president.
He said the judgment was obtained on 12 February 2015 while LACEC election was held on 5 February 2015, adding that when he contested for the position, he was chairman of the main market union.
He said he had already filed a suit at the Appeal Court with suit number, CA/ L/430/ 15 challenging the judgement.
He warned that should there be any breach of security in the market, Okoro and his group would be held responsible and they would be made to face the law.
He said that he would not allow any break down of law and order in the market and said if Okoro felt that he had a good case, he should go to court and and obtain judgement to that effect.
Following the recent judgement that sacked the Ladipo main market executives, Okoro wrote to the BOT and gave them seven days to swear him in as the president of LACEC.
He hinged his reason on the ground that Ogunor was not eligible to contest for the position because of the judgement of the court.
This has caused tension in the market as the traders are divided over the recent development.
The traders are apprehensive that there is an imminent break down of law and order which might result in the closure of the market by the government.
P.M.NEWS gathered that the BOT has stepped into the matter to bring about peaceful resolution of the crisis.