STAKEHOLDER FAULTS THIRD-TERM PUSH FOR MILE 12 MARKET LEADER SAMPAM~Mujaheed Salam Alleges Plot to Amend Constitution, Warns of Legal Resistance

 

By Olusegun Apena 

 A stakeholder in the Mile 12 International Market, Mujaheed Salam, has condemned what he described as “growing calls” for the market leader, Shehu Jubril Usman, popularly known as SAMPAM, to seek a third term in office as his current tenure winds down.  

In a post on his Facebook page titled _No Smoke Without Fire_, Salam argued that the move violates the market’s existing constitution and warned that any attempt to impose a third term would be “vigorously and legally resisted by all legitimate stakeholders.”  

“It is troubling that the market continues to be governed by a questionable ‘kangaroo’ constitution that itself requires thorough scrutiny by legal experts,” Salam wrote. “Even under the existing constitution, the stipulated term limit is two tenures of five years each. The sudden push to amend this constitution to accommodate one individual raises serious red flags.”  

Salam alleged that the proposed amendment “appears designed solely to enable SAMPAM to extend his stay in office,” despite what he described as allegations that the market leader “has been milking the market dry and illegally seizing traders’ properties under the guise of ‘remodelling’ — actions that lack any clear legal backing.”  

He further claimed that “the individuals championing this third-term agenda appear largely self-serving, dancing to the tune of vested interests rather than acting in the best interest of the market and its traders.”  

On SAMPAM’s role, Salam said the market leader’s silence was “telling.”  

“What is even more telling is the deafening silence from SAMPAM himself. His failure to publicly distance himself from these calls or to caution his overzealous supporters strongly suggests his tacit endorsement of the move,” the post read. “If he truly opposes the idea, he should immediately and categorically reject any notion of a third term and restrain those pushing the agenda on his behalf.”  

Salam concluded: “Let it be known to all concerned: any attempt to impose a third term on the leadership of Mile 12 International Market will be vigorously and legally resisted by all legitimate stakeholders.”  

As of press time, SAMPAM had not issued a public response to the Facebook post or the allegations raised. The leadership of the Mile 12 International Market Traders Association also had not commented on the claims regarding the constitution or term limits.  

Mile 12 International Market, located in Kosofe LGA, is one of Lagos State’s largest food and commodity hubs. Leadership transitions in the market have previously drawn attention from traders and local authorities due to the market’s economic significance.  

Attempts by Kosofe Reporters to reach SAMPAM for comment were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report as he refused to respond to messages sent to his WhatsApp.