In what looked like a page off Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti’s stylebook, acting President Yemi Osinbajo paid an unscheduled visit to the popular Garki market in Abuja on Friday.
The visit was part of activities to mark two years of the Muhammad Buhari’s administration.
Osinbajo who arrived the market at about 3.10pm was accompanied by the Minister of State for Industry, Trade, and Investment, Mrs. Aisha Abubakar, among other top government officials and presidential aides.
At the unscheduled stop at the Garki market today, the energy and the joy was unparalleled.
Thank you! pic.twitter.com/j1gMueCqI6— Prof Yemi Osinbajo (@ProfOsinbajo) May 26, 2017
Unlike Fayose, Osinbajo didn’t stop to eat or drink a local brew with the market women but he spared time to interact with the people.
An unnamed fish seller appealed to the Acting President during an interaction to intervene on their behalf and ensure that the rent of shops in the market which she put at N250,000 per annum is reduced.
I just stopped by at theGarki market, Abuja.
This lady and I discussed some of the issues she faces in the sale of fish at the local market pic.twitter.com/5KV8Ninmo8— Prof Yemi Osinbajo (@ProfOsinbajo) May 26, 2017
A rice seller, Alhaji Nasiru Kuryfi, complained of inadequate store space in the market.
Kuryfi said the market management had not completed some of the shops they paid for long ago.
Osinbajo promised to talk to the market management about the high cost of rent.
He also encouraged the traders and all other Nigerians to go into farming, saying, “The more we farm, the more the cost of products will come down.”
Senior Special Assistant to the Acting President on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, later told State House correspondents that Osinbajo visited the market to feel the pulse of Nigerians and hear directly from the people and have a one-on-one with them and assure them that the administration is committed to improving the economy and ensure life gets better for them.
As May 29 Democracy Day approaches, Ag. President Osinbajo in surprise stop @Garki market, Abuja to feel the pulse of Nigerians. Engagement
— Laolu Akande (@akandeoj) May 26, 2017
“The visit coincided with the beginning of the Ramadan fast and Osinbajo encouraged the traders to keep the prices as affordable as possible,” he said.
