Opinion: Fashola’s policy on okada: A signal metaphor

 

It appears to me that adequate consideration was not given to the economic and social implications of criminalising and the destruction of okada. The thousands of okada operators demobilised will not all die. They are not likely to leave Lagos. That means they will relocate to other businesses that can immediately provide a living.

Given his presence in the media, Governor Babatunde Fashola appears to be doing well in his sought task of governing Lagos State. In normal climes, such press certification puts the subject in good potential stead of advancing the political leadership ladder up to the pinnacle of the presidency of the nation. This is the reason why the mindset, policies and performance of such individuals (and implicatively their political platform) should be a subject of critical analysis. Such analysis could serve two of many purposes. One, the public may be assisted in discerning the reality of the individual beyond propaganda such that they are not sold a pig in a poke. The other is to assist the individual to make adjustments or confirm persuasion of his chosen track.
That being the case, there are signal activities of Fashola since he became Governor which are disturbing about his evaluation and treatment of the citizens he governs; and about the relationship of his state to the federation.