‘If you’re thirsty in traffic, die’… and other Twitter reactions to Ambode’s threat to ban hawkers

On Friday, Akinwumi Ambode, governor of Lagos state, said his administration would soon begin locking up street traders, hawkers and their customers.

Speaking on TV Continental, Ambode said both buyers and sellers in traffic will pay a fine of N90,000 or face a jail term.

“The issue is we need to enforce our laws because we already have a law in respect of that and then there is a clause in it which says the buyer and the seller are both liable and that we are going to fine them either N90, 000 or a six month jail term,” he said.

Lagosians, who have become daily customers of the thousands of street hawkers and traders across the state, are putting up a fight on social media, particularly on Twitter.

While some have accused Ambode of patronising street traders during the electioneering campaign, others advised him to first eradicate street urchins and land-grabbers before focusing on hawkers, traders and their customers.

Below are some reactions:

It’s UAC me I pity. Ambode just threatened our gala culture

— Daniel Emeka (@realdanielemeka) July 2, 2016

So if I buy something inside traffic now na jail I dey go if I no get N90,000 to pay Ambode’s boys. Chai!!! Hungry people dey suffer o o o — #BringBackOurGirls (@SeunAfuwape) July 2, 2016

Ambode does not understand how the informal economy in Lagos works. A shame really.

— Nnayelugo (@Eloka51) July 2, 2016

Advertisement

Ambode cannot pass a law to remove agberos from the street. It is harmless hawkers he is going after — Cinderella Man (@Osi_Suave) July 2, 2016

Ambode said if you’re dying of thirst in traffic, you should just die.

— Young Queen (@QueenCleo_92) July 2, 2016

Ambode cannot pass a law to remove agberos from the street. It is harmless hawkers he is going after — Cinderella Man (@Osi_Suave) July 2, 2016

Advertisement

In enforcing this law, Ambode should also make provisions for an alternative for hawkers who rely on this business for their daily bread

— AljazirahNigeria (@AljazirahnewsNG) July 2, 2016

Advertisement

Ambode’s latest policy is tactless. Almost all the APC Governor are anti-masses anyway. They are synonymous with suffering & poverty — Remi Gatsby (@Ceorhemz) July 2, 2016

Okada riders voted for Fashola..got banned
Street hawkers (probably)voted for Ambode..gets banned
They only love u when they need something

Advertisement

— Imoh Umoren (@ImohUmoren) July 2, 2016

Ambode is clowning. He doesn’t know it’s traffic food that makes people endure poor Lagos roads & traffic. He gonna learn. — Civil Savant (@NEPA_Lagos) July 2, 2016

Advertisement

Traffic is the reason we have street hawkers. Ambode should deal with traffic first,then StreetHawking wud fade away https://t.co/9cYh6fF4yr

— Share Your Views (@SayUrViews) July 2, 2016

It’s UAC me I pity. Ambode just threatened our gala culture — Daniel Emeka (@realdanielemeka) July 2, 2016

They lost a colleague and your next line of action is to take away their means of livelihood? Mr Ambode, please reconsider.

— #MESSI29 (@TheMooreUWant_1) July 2, 2016

Trust and obey Cos there is no other way To happy with Ambode.. U gast to trust and obey Remix — The Classic Man (@tkb417) July 2, 2016

Thank God,Ambode has decided to tackle the issue of street trading/hawking headlong.I’ve been an advocate of this ban.

— mide (@OdusogaOlumide) July 2, 2016

Am sure Mr Ambode didn’t realize that he would having a meeting with the board of directors of UAC foods as regards the sales of gala. — OAR™. (@IamOAR) July 2, 2016

All this talk we are talking. Hawkers Association of Nigeria ( Lagos Chapter) will visit Ambode and the whole ban will be forgotten

— Negasonic Warhead (@valsyl) July 2, 2016

If this will be reversed, i just want Ambode to even share these hawkers so Lekki, Ikoyi residents too can have a fair share of it

— The Classic Man (@tkb417) July 2, 2016