Lagos City Marathon: Angry Lagosians Seize Opportunity To Protest Okada/Keke Ban

With the attention of the world on the Lagos City Marathon, long-suffering Lagosians seized the opportunity to protest the State Government’s decision to ban commercial motorcycles (Okada) and Tricycles (Keke) from operating in certain areas of the state.

The Lagos State government citing safety concerns and the need to reduce traffic congestion banned Okadas and Kekes in major residential and business hubs leaving residents markedly short of options for commuting.

The ban which has been in place for the past week has seen residents of the State resort to trekking the long distances typically catered to by Okadas and Kekes.

The fact that the ban was announced without suitable alternatives in place has been a sore point for many Lagosians who want the government to regulate the transporters rather than apply an outright ban.

And in a funny twist of irony, aggrieved residents decided to make their feelings known on the day the state government set aside for people to get paid for moving from one end of the state to the other on their legs.

The protesters hoisting placards and other signs converged at the finish line of the race at the Eko Atlantic City to pass their message to Governor Babajide Sanwoolu who was on hand to present medals and checks to the winners.