Riders on the platform of Opay and Gokada hailing services on Friday took to the streets in a peaceful protest to show their displeasure over the ban of motorcycle and tricycle by the Lagos State government.
There were chants of “No be only rich get Lagos, we are ready to work, give us back our jobs, we don’t want poverty, we beg of you, please Nigerians regulate, I will never be a beggar in life.”
Notable is the absence of Opay riders at the scene. One Gokada rider pinned the blame on the introduction of the Opay service, saying “please tell Sanwo-Olu that it is Opay that caused this problem”
Some of the protesters could be seen sprawled out on the road, kneeling in front of posters bearing Sanwo-Olu’s image and pleading with the governor to rescind the decision.
Policemen are on scene to regulate traffic and ensure a peaceful protest.
Some of the banners read: “Our jobs matter”, “Family man, not ruffian”, “No helmet, no ride! Ask my passengers”, “Over 2 million trips, zero fatality”, “I no ger 9 lives, I no dey put myself or passenger for risk”, “Very soon poverty will be a crime in Lagos.”
ThecommentNg recalls that the two companies had earlier issued a statement pleading with the state government to rescind its decision on the ban which takes effect February 1st.
