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Speaking at a press conference and rally held in Lagos, the President-General of Alaba International Market, Camilus Amajuoyi, stated that the decision was unanimously taken by the 13 sections of the market, which included traders from all major ethnic groups in Nigeria.

He said that the renewed commitment was borne out of the realization that their interests had not been adequately protected in their previous political choices. “We, the Alaba traders, have decided that we are going to solidify our membership with the APC better than it was before,” Amajuoyi said. “Politics is about interest, and our interest lies in Alaba. Some of the politicians we supported in the past from other parties did not represent us well, and we have realized our mistake. Now we are coming back to the truth,” he stated.

He, however, lamented the infrastructural deficits that had hampered commerce in the market, adding that the renewed support for the APC was a strategic move to foster closer ties with the government and seek solutions to their challenges. “We lack certain infrastructure in Alaba, which has hindered our business. Now the founding fathers and leaders of Alaba have realised this and we have come to pledge our support so that our challenges can be addressed,” he added.

Amajuoyi called on the party’s leadership to “open their hands to us,” emphasizing that the traders and are ready to work collaboratively with the APC for the benefit of all stakeholders in Alaba.

Receiving the traders, Chairman of the APC in Lagos State, Cornelius Ojelabi, welcomed them to what he described as their political home. He noted that the traders’ decision to return to the fold was not unexpected, describing past disagreements as “a matter of interest clash” rather than ideological separation.

“Let me welcome Alaba traders back into the APC. They are not new to the party. From AD to AC, ACM, and now APC, they have been part of our journey,” Ojelabi said. “Realising that this is where they do business, they know they need to partner with the government that is providing infrastructure development in their area,” he said.

Ojelabi emphasized that the APC-led government had already been responsive to the needs of traders within the market, referencing ongoing infrastructural improvements. “The Lagos-Badagry Expressway, for instance, has seen significant development under this administration. Traders within ASPAMDA and Alaba benefit directly from these efforts,” he said.