Musiliu ‘MC Oluomo’ Akinsanya, the chairman of Lagos State Parks and Garage Management Committee, has suggested the Igbos or the PDP might be responsible for selling stickers to commercial drivers and riders to fund the presidential campaign of APC presidential standard-bearer, Bola Tinubu. 

“Whether it is you, the Igbos who are devising these means or opposition PDP, don’t give us bad names,” Mr Akinsanya said on an Instagram live video while urging his supporters to hand over violators to the police after beating them. “Anywhere you see something like that, beat them and take (them) to (the police) station. Anyone you see selling such stickers in the name of park and garages, arrest them and call my number.”

He added, “By the grace of God, Tinubu owns the presidency, and there is nothing enemies can do.” 

Sources familiar with the matter told Peoples Gazette that the so-called levy could not have been enforced without his authorisation. The Gazette also learnt that the toll collection is widespread in Lagos and has gone on for weeks before coming to public light. 

A resident in Ikorodu, Halimat Rufai, explained that Okada riders usually were forced to pay for the stickers. 

“I have witnessed the incident twice. Where the okada men refused to purchase the campaign stickers, and they were stopped from working. The other one almost led into a fight,” she said. 

A tricycle rider who shuttles Berger/Ogba part of the state also spoke with The Gazette in line with our editorial policy on anonymous sources.

“Their troubles have increased since we entered this political season. We bought the tickets weeks ago, although some riders are still struggling on whether to buy or not,” the rider explained. 

He added, “It is not only in this garage. Other garages are paying too, so it can only come from the chairman’s office.”

The Nigerian public has continued to condemn the Tinubu camp for the levy.