A leading stakeholder in the organised civil society community in Nigeria, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has given Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State a 48-hour ultimatum to abrogate the recently introduced obnoxious law that criminalises street trading or face a legal battle.

Political authorities in the Federal Capital Territory and the Lagos State government have been condemned for strictly enforcing some draconian policies directed at stifling the economic activities of the poorest majority of their citizenry.

In a media statement issued by the pro-democracy Non-Governmental Organization signed jointly by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and the National Media Affairs Director, Miss Zainab Yusuf, the group specifically listed the various policies in operation in the political and commercial capitals of Nigeria which outlaws street trading as some of the most draconian, unconstitutional, Un-African and Uncharitable actions that are not only anti-poor but also targeted at further economic enslavement of the poorest of the poor.

The rights group disclosed that it has commenced consultations with like minded stakeholders with a view to appealing to credible legal practitioners to head to the courts this week to challenge this evil legislation by the Lagos State government targeted at driving millions of poor Nigerians to their early grave through mass hunger which the anti street trading law will instigate.

HURIWA said it was a shame that self acclaimed human rights activists and lawyers affiliated to the Lagos State government have maintained graveyard silence whilst their political friends in the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration in Lagos State imposed this draconian law.

HURIWA psaid that in the event that it couldn't file the matter against the Lagos State government this week it will begin the mobilization of Nigerians using the social media to stage mass action against Governor Ambode and his anti poor policy.

HURIWA condemned the Lagos State government and the FCT environmental enforcement authority for pursing these evil policies that go contrary to the clear provision of the Nigerian Constitution as enshrined in Section 14 (1) (2); Section 15(2) (a)(b) (c) and (d);

“(14) (1) The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a State bases on the principle of democracy and social justice.