Some leaders of the Hausa community in Lagos have appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to reverse the ban on Okada operations in six local government areas of the State.
The leaders, who spoke in separate interviews with PUNCH, said Okada riders who hail from northern Nigeria contribute significantly to the voting population of Lagos and should not be economically strangulated.
Sanwo-Olu had on Wednesday banned the operations of commercial motorcycle riders in six Local Governments and nine Local Government Development Areas in the state.
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The affected councils are Eti-Osa, Ikeja, Surulere, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland and Apapa.
But the Seriki of Obalende, Saliu Waziri, told the newsmen that the government should rethink its decision.
“This issue has taken us a long time and we have been trying to put our members on the line. I want to advise the government to rethink its decision because Lagos can’t operate without bikes because of traffic.
“Government should register Okada riders in each local government to know those working in any local government. By so doing, the government would know who to pick when any issue arises.
“Some of our members stay here in Lagos and vote during elections. That should count for something because we contribute to votes during elections.
“The government should change the system of Okada riders not stopping them,” Waziri said.
