A market porter in Ilorin, Kwara State, Ajara Jimoh, has alleged that the market leadership suspended her for two weeks over her political views ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Jimoh, a widow and mother of five, said she was suspended after a video showing her expressing support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by former Kwara State Governor Bukola Saraki, circulated on social media.
Speaking with journalists in Ilorin on Thursday, she explained that she made the declaration when she was asked which political party she wanted to win the next governorship election in the state.
According to her, she openly declared support for the PDP because she had previously benefited from the political family of the late Olusola Saraki, Bukola Saraki’s father.
Jimoh disclosed that she previously traded in yam flour and other food items during Bukola Saraki’s administration but later experienced financial difficulties.
She said her economic challenges forced her to abandon the business and become a market porter about seven years ago to provide for her five children.
She further explained that some people began campaigning for Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s re-election after her political comments, highlighting the achievements of his administration.
However, she said she told them that her priority was finding a way out of her financial difficulties rather than engaging in political arguments.
Jimoh alleged that four days before speaking with journalists, the market’s Iyaloja summoned her to a meeting attended by four people, where she was confronted with the video.
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She said the market leader and others questioned her political position, insulted and humiliated her, forcing her to cry and plead with them.
The widow also alleged that the market leadership threatened to involve an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to arrest her over her political comments.
According to her, the officer eventually arrived but did not arrest her after seeing her crying.
Jimoh said the Iyaloja subsequently instructed the Head of Porters to take her away and prevent the officer from addressing her.
She added that the market leadership eventually suspended her from carrying out her porter duties for two weeks.
The alleged suspension has left her worried about how to provide for her five children, as she depends on the income from her daily porter work to cater for their needs.
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