The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Lagos State chapter, will today lead a coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) and other opposition parties to protest the ban on commercial motorcycles (okada) and tricycles (Keke NAPEP) in some parts of the state.

Lagos government on January 27 wielded the big stick against the menace of okada and Keke NAPEP, proscribing their operations in six local government areas (LGAs), nine local council development areas (LCDAs) and 10 major highways across the state with effect from February 1.

Speaking with Daily Independent on Sunday, the PDP said it is giving Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu till 12 noon today to reverse the decision or be faced with massive protests that will bring activities in the state to a standstill.

While lamenting the hardship being experienced by some Lagosians as a result of the restrictions which took effect on February 1, the PDP said the action of the state government has shown that the ruling party in the state, the All Progressives Congress (APC), is an elitist government that is insensitive to the plight of the masses.

It said it is alarmed that the Lagos State government can commence the anti-masses move without providing alternatives to suffering populace especially traders, students and other low income earners.

Barr. Taofik Gani, the Publicity Secretary of the party, said it is already in talks with leaders of civil society organisations to stage protests in the streets of Lagos if the hardship being experienced by Lagosians as a result of the ban continues on Monday.

It said it is surprised that the state government can commence the restrictions when the 800 buses it promised as an alternative means of transport is still lying fallow at the ports waiting to be cleared.

“We have declared that this is a fraudulent, ‘yahoo-yahoo’ government. It is a fraudulent government in the sense that they are making people believe that Lagos is already a mega city and smart city.

“In order to give that erroneous impression to the international community that they have attained that status and to continue to get the grant which by right every mega city get from the World Bank Development Agency, they have come up with this inhuman policy.

“Since 2007, we have challenged them to come and account for those money released from Brazil to support Lagos State’s claim of being a mega city which status you attain once you have a population of 10 million. Now they are treating Lagosians with disdain, saying because they want Lagos to become a smart city, Lagosians must suffer.

“When the Commissioner for Information appeared on television three days ago, he said they have 800 buses lying at the ports which are not yet cleared. This is a clear indictment of a government that puts the cart before the horse. What they are doing is worse than what is happening in Somalia where citizens are deliberately made to suffer for political reasons.

Maxymilliano:
OLD VIDEO OF GOV. SANWOOLU ON PLANS TO IMPROVE TRANSPORTATION WITH MOTORCYCLES RESURFACE ONLINE

As many Lagosians struggle to grapple with the newly enforced No Okada/ No Keke ban that recently went into effect February 1, a video showing the Lagos State Governor, Sanwoolu while pitching on ways to improve the transportation system in Lagos State on The Platform recently resurfaced online.

Part of the Governor’s plan as disclosed at the time was to work with branded motorcycles and restructure them in ways in which they could be accountable to the government. The recent ban on all forms of tricycles and motorcycles raised a new level of suspicion as many wonders what became of that plan.

"@promiseekewuba: Few months back @jidesanwoolu was asked about his plan for transportation in #Lagos. He said outright that he plans to PARTNER with companies like Opay and Max to ensure safer operations. He never said anything about a ban. THE GOVERNOR LIED.

Here's the video. pic.twitter.com/u0dA7t7HYN

https://twitter.com/Gidi_Traffic/status/1223944711930613761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

hisexcellency34:
I dont support ban on Opay and tricycles

helinues:


They have both been replaced with Otrek

Lanretoye:
useless party,it was the rate of unemployment during their regime that lead to the massive venture of people into okada riding.let them protest nah.

helinues:
Waiting for Atiku and FFK also to react

helinues:


They have both been replaced with Otrek

helinues:


They have both been replaced with Otrek