Hundreds of frustrated residents in Ijoka, Akure South Local Government Area, stormed the streets on Monday morning, blocking the entrance to the Ijoka/Ijo Mimo access road in a vehement protest against its dire, unmotorable condition that has plagued the community for years.
Chanting anti-government slogans, the demonstrators highlighted the road's role in causing frequent accidents, inflating vehicle repair costs, and crippling daily commutes and businesses.
They accused the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of outright neglect, despite the route being a vital lifeline for locals.Resident Ayanfe Adeyemi, speaking amid the chaos, described the ordeal as unbearable for the past three to four years, regardless of season.
"Whether rainy or dry, you can't enjoy this road," he said. "I had farm work this morning, but I'm glad this protest is happening—even if it hurts my business.
We have an irresponsible, unaccountable government abandoning us like this."Adeyemi issued a stern ultimatum: "We're giving them one week. If tractors don't return, we'll hit the streets again and say enough is enough."
He noted that residents and traders fork out fortunes on vehicle fixes while officials cruise the same pothole-riddled path in luxury cars, indifferent to the suffering.
Fellow protester Oni Alade, a trader, lamented the impact on commerce: "We voted for this government, I trekked nearly five miles to cast my ballot for Aiyedatiwa.
"Please, he should pity us and finish this road. We're suffering as we haul goods from market to home".
Akure South Local Government Chairman, Hon. Gbenga Fasua, who arrived at the scene, sought to calm the crowd, insisting the Aiyedatiwa government had not forsaken the project.
"We're aware of your plight and actively working on it. I assure you, urgent action will follow soon," he promised, revealing that resumption of work was imminent.
The dualisation project was originally flagged off as a flagship infrastructure initiative under the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu's administration, but has since stalled, fueling the community's outrage.
