Okada Riders In Fresh Protest

Thousands of commercial motorcyclists, popularly called okada riders, this morning embarked on a peaceful procession in Lagos to protest the restriction placed on their operations on major highways in the metropolis.

Armed policemen initially tried to prevent the riders from embarking on the protest that took off at the premises of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC secretariat annex at Yaba, but the protesters insisted they had the right to embark on the procession in a peaceful manner. They parked their motorcycles at the NLC secretariat and took to the streets, moving from Yaba to Ojuelegba road.

From Ojuelegba, the riders planned to march to Ikorodu Road and Alausa Secretariat, seat of the Lagos State  Government. In an interview with P.M.NEWS, the General Secretary of Joint Action Front, JAF, Comrade Abiodun Aremu, described the Lagos Traffic Law that restricted operations of okada riders on major highways as unjust. He said riders depend on the roads for their means of livelihood.

He accused the Lagos State Government of insincerity, saying that in 2011 when Governor Babatunde Fashola was seeking re-election, he identified with okada riders and promised not to ban their operations in the state.

Comrade Olukayode Amadi, Chairman, Branch ‘A’, Ikeja of Okada Riders Association, said the offensive aspect of the traffic law is Schedule II which he asked the government to expunge. Commenting on the protest, Comrade Dandy Eze, National President, Path of Peace Initiative, a non-government organisation, NGO, said the struggle against anti-people laws enacted by government was a continuous one.

He said Fashola got the bulk of the votes that earned him a second term from okada riders and the down-trodden masses in general. He said the governor’s action showed that he had forgotten those who gave him their votes for a second term in office.

About a week ago, okada riders organised a similar rally to press home their demand that the traffic law be reviewed. Today’s protest march was co-sponsored by the okada riders and JAF.

Reacting to the protest march, Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Ngozi Braide, advised okada riders to conduct themselves peacefully. She appealed to them to obey the law and await the outcome of the suit they filed in court.

“The Commissioner of Police has advised residents of the state to go about their normal activities without fear and that anyone or group that threatens the security of the state shall be dealt with according to the law,’’ she added.

—Ayodeji Dedeigbo