Residents from communities across Ogun State, under the aegis of Make Ogun State Great Again (MOGA), yesterday staged a peaceful protest at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, demanding urgent action to address poor infrastructure and worsening socio-economic conditions in the state.

Hundreds of protesters, drawn from the 20 local government areas of the state, converged on the government complex to present a list of demands, including the rehabilitation of roads, reduction of multiple taxation, improved healthcare services, employment opportunities and greater access to resources at the grassroots.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the convener of MOGA, Olawoye Kayode, said the group represented artisans, market women, youths, elderly people and other residents who, according to him, were struggling with the rising cost of living and inadequate public infrastructure.

The protesters arrived barefoot, which Kayode described as a symbolic representation of the hardship experienced by residents in many communities.

“We are barefooted. We did not leave our shoes at home by accident. We left them by divine instruction, and we left them because our bare feet tell the raw, unfiltered story of the grassroots under your administration,” he said.

Kayode alleged that many communities had yet to feel the impact of government programmes, citing poor roads, multiple taxation, unemployment and inadequate healthcare facilities among the challenges confronting residents.

He also called for an end to what he described as “political slavery”, arguing that the resources accruing to the state should translate into tangible benefits for its residents.

The MOGA leader demanded greater transparency and accountability in the management of federal allocations and internally generated revenue, saying citizens should have a clearer understanding of how public resources were being deployed.

Among the group’s demands are the immediate rehabilitation of roads and other infrastructure in underserved communities, an end to multiple taxation affecting small-scale traders and transport workers, a transparent framework for allocating resources to communities and greater financial autonomy for local governments.

The protesters also called on the state government to ensure that local councils had adequate resources to address the needs of residents at the grassroots.
Responding on behalf of the state government, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, AIG Olushola Zubair (rtd.),

commended the protesters for conducting themselves peacefully and presenting their grievances in an organised manner.

Zubair explained that Governor Dapo Abiodun was unable to receive the protesters personally because of other official engagements, but assured them that their demands would be conveyed to the government.

“Normally, the governor would have seen you, but due to some exigencies, the governor is not available. I am here to come and see you and speak to you,” he said.

The special adviser said the government had recently approved the reconstruction and construction of roads across the state, adding that work was already ongoing on some of the projects.

He acknowledged the concerns raised by the protesters and assured them that their grievances would be presented to the appropriate authorities for consideration.

“We know everything that you have tabled here is a genuine concern, and your visit will not be in vain,” he said.

He, however, urged the protesters to maintain peace and ensure that the demonstration was not hijacked by hoodlums. He also encouraged them to remain law-abiding while the government considered their demands.

Communities represented at the protest included God Is Great Community, Toluwalase Community, Onaolapo Community, Ogo Oluwa Kitan Community, Surulere Community, Action and Progress Community, Wisdom Progressive Community, Ifeoluwaju Community, Plaza Ajegunle Community Development Association (CDA), Sango-Ota, and Oniboju Community.

Others were Kajola Station Community, Ifelodun Soyinka Community, Igbeyin Adun Community, New Generation Fadunsin Community, Ifelodun Community, Majeobaje Community and Excellent CDA, Onibuku, Ado-Odo/Ota, among others.