Protesters issue FG, state govt 30-day ultimatum over Oyo-Ogbomoso road

Some youths, on Saturday, issued a 30-day ultimatum to the Federal and Oyo State government to address the suffering faced by motorists along the Oyo-Ogbomoso road due to its deplorable condition.

The youths, including students under the National Association of University Students (NAUS) and members of Ogbomoso Indigenous Associations in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, took to the streets to protest the poor state of the route for commuters travelling between the north and southwest.

They condemned the deaths caused by the road’s dilapidated state, describing the losses as a product of negligence and warning that failure to meet their demands would lead to mass demonstrations and economic shutdowns.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters at the Saki Roundabout in Ogbomoso, the Vice President of NAUS, Tiamiyu Olayinka, said that the preventable deaths are not accidents but murders.

He said, “As we all gather here today, this is a stark reminder of the dilapidated state that stings our daily lives. Over the years, the Ogbomoso Road has been a critical route for commuters travelling between the North and Southwest. Due to its strategic location, this road is one of the busiest in the nation.

“Despite this glaring reality, many lives have been lost due to the authorities’ negligence in repairing the road. The lives lost on this road are not accidents; they are murders. The office of the Vice President, NAUS Southwest, will no longer remain silent in the face of these despicable actions and the deliberate genocide by the Federal Government.”

Olayinka explained that the road has been a lifeline for commuters, while the alternative project, initiated years ago, remains incomplete. The final 5-kilometre stretch is yet to be finished, posing severe risks to commuters and residents alike.

He noted that the road remains the only viable route to the South from the North, but due to its poor condition, motorists are forced to take an alternative route through the heart of Ogbomoso town.

He said, “Residents have grown weary of empty promises, watching as their town’s potential withers away. This neglect has far-reaching consequences, affecting not only residents but also businesses and the local economy.”

He added that Ogbomoso hosts one of the largest universities of technology in the country (LAUTECH), and students are endangered daily.

He said, “They (students) leave home early in the morning without the certainty of returning safely due to the negligence of some individuals. This is utterly disgusting and unacceptable.”