Ijoka Residents Barricade Deplorable Road, Demand Aiyedatiwa’s Immediate Action
The bustling Ijoka community in Akure, the Ondo State capital, was brought to a standstill on Monday as hundreds of infuriated residents staged a massive protest, barricading the major road linking the area over its deplorable and abandoned state.
In an early morning demonstration, the community members mounted a formidable barricade using burnt tyres, heavy woods, and stones, completely halting vehicular movement. The protest was directed at the state government for abandoning the dualization of the Ijoka road project, a key initiative started during the administration of the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
According to the residents, all construction work on the strategic route ceased following Governor Akeredolu’s passing in December 2023. They lamented that what was once a beacon of progress has since been left to deteriorate into a nightmare, causing immense hardship for commuters and residents alike.
Armed with placards bearing poignant inscriptions such as “Fix Ijoka Road, Save Our Lives,” “No More Promises, We Need Action,” and “We Deserve Good Roads Too,” the protesters chanted solidarity songs, their voices echoing their frustration.
A respected community leader, Chief Kayode Ogunleye, made a passionate appeal to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. He urged the governor to honour Akeredolu’s legacy by immediately completing the abandoned project. “Finishing this road would be the best way to respect the memory of his predecessor and ease the suffering of thousands of Akure residents,” he stressed.
In response, the Chairman of Akure South Local Government Area, Gbenga Fasua, who visited the tense scene, pleaded for calm. “I appeal to all residents to cooperate and be patient while the authorities put measures in place to fix this road once and for all,” he stated.
