IGBO VS YORUBA: Bloody Clash Over Leadership of Lagos Market

A clash is dangerously brewing
between the Yoruba and Igbo
faction of a popular Lagos market
as leadership elections of the
market draws near.
The Olugbede Model Market
according to Vanguard was rated
as one of the most peaceable
markets in Alimosho until recently
when crisis erupted among
members of the GSM Association
which constitutes about 95 per
cent of the market population.
Historically, the Model market was
reportedly started by some Yoruba
traders about 40 years ago but due
to the relocation challenges being
faced by Ikeja GSM village, some
Igbo GSM traders were said to
have run to Olugbede Model
market for succor and were
received with open arms but
gradually, the ‘visitors’ were said
to have increased in number and
dominated every sphere of the
market.
For this reason, the Yoruba
traders now liken the
development to the case of a man
who invited a neighbour to the
dining table but due to the
satisfaction derived from the
delicacy, the neighbour turned
around to hold-on to the feeding
hand in order to take possession
of the whole meal.
Vanguard findings revealed that
the market christened the GSM
Association for 15 years, was
nurtured to make it ripe for
leadership. Ever since the Igbos
have cornered the major positions
for a period of 12 years.
As another election approaches,
an electoral committee was
inaugurated to oversee the affairs
of the market and supervise the
forthcoming election. This has
degenerated into crises which has
brought about police intervention
and if care is not taken, there
could be a total breaking down of
law and order within the market.
The situation is expected to
degenerate and extend to the host
Egbeda community except urgent
measures are taken by Lagos State
Marketing Board, traditional
rulers and other concerned
authorities.