₦airaland Forum

Chicken and foodstuff traders have lamented low patronage a day before this year’s Christmas festivities.

Some traders interviewed by Abuja Metro linked the situation to the delay in December salary payments, while others pointed to the general economic situation in the country.

Ahmad Iliya, a poultry trader at the Wuse Market, who was seen displaying turkeys yesterday, said the usual high patronage during such festivity had dropped drastically compared to the same period last year.

He said, “I have turkeys in the large category for N80,000 to N150,000, with smaller sizes available for as low as N30,000. But as of this afternoon (yesterday), I have sold only three out of the birds I brought.”

Iliya noted the high cost of maintenance: “I received supplies about a week ago from Katsina, Kano and Kaduna states, and they consume an average of N50,000 in feed every day.

Most people I interact with are complaining about the lack of December salary. I don’t know what will happen between now and tomorrow, but I pray for better sales before the period elapses.”

A resident, Peter Iyke, who was seen boarding a vehicle near the market, said he had yet to do any shopping as of Tuesday.

He said, “The prices of some food items have dropped compared to last year, but that hasn’t taken effect on chicken prices which remain high. We hope to celebrate with joy no matter the situation or the hardship.”

In Kubwa, a chicken farmer based in Suleja, Niger State, Gbenga Dele, came with his broilers expecting a better market in the FCT.

Assisted by his wife and son, Dele parked his vehicle under a pedestrian bridge on the expressway to target passersby and provide shade for his birds.

Expressing his frustration to Abuja Metro, Dele said, “Sincerely speaking, I am short of words regarding this year’s Christmas market. You would be surprised if I tell you what I spent to raise these birds and what people are offering for them. In a good market, a chicken of this size will cost N20,000.

“But people are offering N10,000 or even less. I haven’t sold any since I arrived this morning. The birds are nine weeks old now, and I am ready to sell at N12,000 – well below my initial target of N15,000.”

Dele noted that the dull market affected more than just civil servants as business owners and artisans were also feeling the pinch.

Almustafa Imam, a foodstuff trader at the Kubwa Main Market, confirmed that the drop in patronage affected all sectors.

He said, “Previously, during Christmas shopping, the majority of our customers bought whole bags. Now, even those who buy in bulk are scarce. The situation has affected all traders, including those of us selling foodstuff.”

Governors are defecting from one party to the other, but have hunger and anger in the land also defected?”

- Seyi Makinde, Oyo State Governor, faults governors and others for defecting to the APC.#CTVTweets pic.twitter.com/COaM36tH3v

— Channels Television (@channelstv) December 23, 2025

Sanwo-Olu gave the advice on Monday during the swearing-in ceremony of Obasa and Toyin Adejimiwa, who was inaugurated as a Permanent Secretary, at Lagos House, Ikeja, the state capital.

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has cautioned the newly sworn-in Chairman of Agege Local Government, Abdul-Ganiyu Obasa, against divisive tendencies, urging him to govern inclusively and focus on unity-driven grassroots development.

Sanwo-Olu gave the advice on Monday during the swearing-in ceremony of Obasa and Toyin Adejimiwa, who was inaugurated as a Permanent Secretary, at Lagos House, Ikeja, the state capital.


Obasa, the son of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudasiru Obasa, had been serving as acting chairman of the council prior to his confirmation and formal inauguration.

Addressing the officials, the governor described local government as the tier of administration closest to the people, stressing that leadership at that level must be visible, responsive and compassionate.

He urged the Agege council chairman to avoid actions or policies that could deepen divisions, emphasising the need for inclusive governance that prioritises measurable outcomes and delivers tangible benefits to residents.

Sanwo-Olu noted that discipline and performance remained the core benchmarks for leadership and career advancement within the Lagos State public service.

The governor also acknowledged the presence of retired permanent secretaries at the ceremony, describing them as exemplary public servants whose contributions and legacies continued to inspire the state’s civil service.

In November 2025, SaharaReporters reported that Vice Chairman Abdul-Ganiyu Vinod Obasa, son of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, officially took over as chairman following the resignation of Hon. Tunde Azeez.

Azeez, who had gone on medical leave barely a month after his swearing-in on July 26, 2025, stepped down to undergo treatment for an undisclosed illness.

His decision paved the way for Obasa’s son, who had been serving in acting capacity, to assume full control of the council.

The media aide to the now former chairman, Rotimi Sulaiman, said his principal’s decision was guided by health concerns.

He explained, “Tunde Azeez has been long sick and his decision to resign and devote his attention to his health rather than being weighed down by the responsibility of that office is the wise decision any sane person should take.”

Sulaiman further praised Obasa’s leadership, saying, “The beneficiary of that excellent decision, Abdulganiyu Vinod Obasa is a visionary young man who in the last few months of Azeez’s absence has demonstrated uncommon capacity. I think Agege is lucky to have both guys.”

However, opposition parties have described the succession as a “carefully scripted succession,” arguing that the circumstances surrounding Azeez’s resignation and Obasa’s takeover suggest a prearranged political plan.

They recalled that the move to make Obasa’s son the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate during the July 12 local government election had been strongly resisted by some stakeholders.

Despite the criticisms, supporters insist that the transition was legitimate and necessitated by health realities, framing it as a case of duty passing from “a sick man who chose recovery over politics” to “a young leader prepared to serve.”

In May, SaharaReporters reported that the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) for Agege and Orile-Agege issued a strong statement condemning what it describes as a “crisis of internal democracy” within the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the local level, pointing fingers at Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa.

Glimpsetv:
A Nigerian lady has taken to social media to express her frustration after none of her friends bought her Asobi, just two weeks before her wedding.
According to her, despite all her friends being part of the Asobi WhatsApp group since October, not a single one has purchased her Asobi. She shared,
"Guys, see how wicked some people can be! My marriage is just a few weeks away, but these girls, none of them bought this Asobi. They’ve been in that WhatsApp group since October, and I even did Asobi for one of them!"

She revealed that almost 29 friends were involved, yet none have stepped up, leaving her feeling that her money has gone to waste.
The post has sparked various reactions online, with some suggesting that perhaps the Asobi is too expensive, which might explain why none of her friends have bought it yet.

Cc: Nlfpmod


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M50XMpYgHNQ?si=XmZouL3Y2De6DNMI