Council boss denies involvement, urges calm

Scores of people were reportedly injured in Akure, the Ondo State capital, following a violent clash between commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as Okada riders, and ticket sellers over alleged multiple levies.

The confrontation occurred at different locations across the metropolis, with the riders accusing ticket sellers of demanding additional payments after they had already paid similar levies.

The incident reportedly caused a breakdown of order in parts of the city, with the dispute centred on a daily levy collected under the guise of an “emblem”.

Some of the riders accused the Chairman of Akure South Local Council, Gbenga Fasua, of authorising multiple charges.

One of the riders, Jimoh Akindele, alleged that the ticket sellers were acting on the council chairman’s directive.

“We see this as double taxation because we cannot imagine Fasua selling an emblem for riders in Akure South. He claimed it was meant for Akure South Local Government and they are collecting N7,000 from us as a total package.

“This is totally wrong. He sent boys to move around different locations to collect levies from us. We learnt that the levy is not for the state government but for the Akure South Local Council, and the state government is not aware of it. That is why we are saying enough is enough. We cannot take it anymore,” Akindele said.

Another rider, who identified himself simply as Adekunle, said the multiple collections had become a burden on operators already struggling to make a living.

“We are not against paying government levies, but there should be transparency. You cannot collect money from us several times for the same purpose.

“We pay in the morning, and another person comes later to demand another ticket. When we ask questions, nobody gives us a satisfactory explanation. They will say it is for Akure South Local Council.

“Fasua is even using the local security outfit he set up, known as Tiger Base, to terrorise Okada riders in Akure, and this is very wrong,” he alleged.

Adekunle appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to intervene in the dispute to prevent the situation from escalating.

However, Fasua denied knowledge of the controversial collections, saying the alleged emblem was not authorised by him and that no proceeds from its sale had accrued to the council.

Fasua said he became aware of the controversy after meeting some protesters in front of the Government Office, where they complained about being asked to obtain additional stickers.

According to him, the protesters said they had already collected stickers earlier in the year, including one issued during the Ogun Festival period, and that the latest demand would make it the third sticker for the year.

He said he intervened by directing those involved to suspend the collection pending clarification from the state government.

“I told them to hold on with these sales. Let’s get clarity from Mr Governor. I subsequently went to about two other spots and told them to hold on with these sales until we get clarity from the governor.

“I am the representative of the people of Akure. I was voted for, and of course, I am their voice. That was why I said, ‘Let me speak with the governor about it,’” he said.

The council chairman appealed to the protesters and other parties to desist from actions capable of disrupting peace in Akure, stressing that all parties should seek a peaceful resolution to the dispute.