The Ekiti State Government has issued a two-week ultimatum to traders operating on roadsides in Ado Ekiti to relocate to the newly completed ultra-modern Agric Olope Market or face sanctions.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji gave the directive on Thursday during a stakeholders’ meeting with market women at the palace of the Ewi of Ado Ekiti. He said traders at Bisi Market, Kings Market, and other strategic points in the capital must move to the new market on or before June 23, 2025.
According to the Governor, the decision is aimed at ensuring orderliness, promoting public health, and making Ado Ekiti a cleaner, safer, and more modern capital city.
“We are in a democracy and democracy requires consultation. We don’t want to use force on those who brought us to office,” Governor Oyebanji said.
“Today’s meeting is just to consult with market women. We just completed an ultra-modern market for them and we want them to move. I discussed with the Ewi and the Ewi-in-Council and we agreed to bring the market women to the palace so that we can have an agreement.
They have promised to move without force and by the middle of the month they will start moving. The market was built to their taste — water, toilet, security, warehouses, parking space, and other things to make them comfortable.”
The Governor warned that anyone who refuses to comply with the relocation order will face the full weight of the law.
“I don’t expect anybody to default, but within a group of people, there are some that may not align. We will enforce the agreement reached here today — they have to stop street trading. It is not healthy, it is not safe, and they don’t even get to make money.”
The newly completed Agric Olope Market is equipped with modern facilities including potable water, toilets, solar-powered lighting, warehouses, security, good road networks, and parking spaces — all tailored to improve the trading experience.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Commissioner for Trade, Industry, Investment, and Cooperatives, Mrs. Tayo Adeola, lauded Governor Oyebanji for his commitment to improving traders’ welfare, noting that the new market is a game-changer for commercial activities in the capital.
She urged traders to begin obtaining shop allocation forms from Tuesday next week, assuring them that the process would be fair and transparent.
Also speaking at the meeting, the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, appealed to the traders to relocate as directed. He described the Agric Olope Market as well-equipped and suitable for modern trading.
The monarch commended Governor Oyebanji for sustaining the vision of Ekiti’s founding fathers and urged market women to key into the new development drive.
Other dignitaries present included the Chief of Staff, Mr. Niyi Adebayo; Commissioner for Infrastructure, Prof. Mobolaji Aluko; Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Ajobiewe Kehinde; Special Adviser on Security, Brig. Gen. Ebenezer Ogundana (rtd); local government chairmen; the Ewi-in-Council; and market leaders.