Oshodi: How Minister of Works reversed demolition of Owonifari market

The demolition of Owonifari Market in Oshodi area of Lagos State was long coming.

Major General Abdulkareem Adisa was Military Governor of Oyo State between August 1990 and January 1992.

In 1993, military dictator, General Sani Abacha, appointed Adisa Minister of Works and Housing.

During his tenure as minister, Adisa reportedly sought to clean up Oshodi. As part of that move, Owonifari Market was marked for demolition.

NewsroomNG gathered that Adisa personally supervised the “semi” demolition of the structure during his time as minister.

READ: Fear, anger as Ambode orders demolition of Oshodi market

“They were already demolishing the market from under Oshodi bridge and Adisa was around to see the job was completed,” a source told NewsroomNG.

“As the demolition progressed, some traders were hanging around the market begging fro mercy. Adisa spotted a man with whom he attended school. It was said that they were very close friends. Adisa was moved to tears and stopped the demolition.

“That was how Owonifari market here in Oshodi was saved in the 1990s,” the source said.

Since that time, the source said, the market has become a “battle ground” between Abuja and Lagos State.

READ: “Where Ambode relocated us to is a death trap,” dislodged Oshodi trader cries out

NewsroomNG gathered traders were apprehensive former Lagos governor Babtunde Fashola would pull down the structure.

There are insinuations Fashola, himself not alien to demolishing markets, was unable to demolish the Oshodi market in question because the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) opposed the idea.

“Governor Ambode made the move now that the APC has gained national power,” another source told NewsroomNG.

But Ambode said he demolished the market in order to give Lagos something better..