The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Imohimi Edgal, has commended traders at the Aguiyi Ironsi International Trade Centre of Ladipo Market, Mushin, Lagos, for their conduct during last weekend’s election that ended peacefully.
The police boss, who was represented by the Area ‘D’ commander, ACP Akinbayo Olasoji, said the command was happy that the traders comported themselves in a peaceful and orderly manner worthy of emulation by other sections of the market.
He said, in the history of Ladipo Spare Parts Market, there was never an election that ended as peacefully as this one.
“We had 3,000 eligible voters and over 5,000 observers. The crowd control was not easy. The saving grace was that the election attracted high-level security presence from the Department of State Security and contingents of police, led by myself.
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In the end, the election was adjudged peaceful, free and fair. The CP is happy that everything went well.”After the election, Mbamala Emmanuel Ngozichukwuka, aka PDP, emerged as the new president of the union. He beat Nwannenemere Chinyelugo Festus with 842 votes to 333.
He took over from Cyril Chukwujindu Onyemaechi, aka Honesty. For the position of secretary, Nnaji Victor Ikechukwu dusted Ikpo Emmanuel Uchechukwu and others to emerge, winner, while Nkemakolam Chigozie was elected the financial secretary. Oputa Malachy was also elected treasurer.
Reacting to the election, immediate past president of the union, Onyemaechi, expressed gratitude to the traders and security operatives, led by Olasoji, for a peaceful election. He was specifically grateful to the Area ‘D’ commander, bearing in mind the tension that preceded the election.
“My major interest is to hand over to the incoming leadership through a free and fair process without rancor or any form of violence. I am happy that has been achieved,” he said.
Previous elections in the spare parts market were held under tension and threats of violence.
Reacting to the election, the traders were unanimous in praising the former leader’s capability to have restored order within the market. According to many of them, he has left an indelible mark and achieved much for the new management to build on.
A total of 29 candidates participated in the election, vying for various positions; 2,364 accredited voters were able to cast their votes.
