By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Gbagi Market |
The bustling Gbagi Market, Ibadan’s iconic commercial hub and one of Nigeria’s largest textile centers, is now a battleground between traders and the Oyo State government.
What officials call a "modernization project," local sellers describe as a forced eviction replacing affordable stalls with high-end shops priced beyond their reach.
For decades, Gbagi Market has been a lifeline for thousands, offering everything from vibrant Ankara fabrics to electronics and foodstuffs. But today, the sound of hammers and bulldozers drowns out the usual hum of haggling. Traders who once paid as little as N25,000 per year now face shocking price tags of N1.6m to N7.5m for new shops—a cost many say is impossible to bear.
Traders Speak: ‘This Is Betrayal’
-Ahmed Alasepe, a displaced clothing seller, lamented: "I paid N100,000 yearly before. Now they demand N2.5m upfront. I had to leave and start farming in Eruwa." Wasiu Olawuyi, who lost his container shop, said: "My goods aren’t even worth N500,000 how can I pay N1.6m for a smaller space?" Moyosore, a trader who took a N5m loan to keep her shop, called the policy "wickedness."
Protests Erupt Over Missing Car Parks, Shoddy Construction
Last week, furious traders stormed the market with placards reading: "Governor Seyi Makinde, save us from destroyers" Their grievances go beyond rent hikes, Contractors have allegedly built shops on former customer car parks, forcing vehicles onto busy expressways. Emergency access is now nearly impossible, raising fears of fire hazards and stampedes. Some traders claim new shops lack proper foundations, risking future collapse.
Government’s Defense: ‘No Forced Payments, No Secret Allocations’
The Oyo State Commissioner for Trade, Adeniyi Adebisi, denied wrongdoing, insisting that the car park remains intact, and allocations were transparent. Traders were informed of costs beforehand and could opt out. No evidence of coercion exists. Yet, when pressed for details on pricing and safety concerns, the ministry remained silent.
(PUNCH)