Angry residents of Ijoka community in the Akure metropolis, on Monday morning took to the streets, protesting the deplorable condition of the Ijoka road, described as one of the city’s busiest and most strategic routes.
The protest, which began around 7 a.m., quickly escalated into a full-blown blockade as residents used logs of wood, tyres, and stones to obstruct movement, forcing hundreds of commuters to abandon their vehicles.
The gridlock stretched from Ijoka to other area causing ripple effects across adjoining areas such as Oda Road, Ilesa Garage, and Oluwatuyi, hindering vehicular movement for several hours.
Armed with placards bearing inscriptions such as “Fix Ijoka Road, Save Our Lives,” “No More Promises, We Need Action,” and “We Deserve Good Roads Too” Complete Akeredolu’s projects” “We’ve Been Forgotten Since Akeredolu Died” as the residents chanted solidarity songs and demanded immediate government intervention.
The protesters, made up of residents, commercial drivers, and traders, said their patience had been stretched to the limit, accusing the state government of prioritizing projects in other areas while neglecting major roads in Akure’s inner communities.
They accused the state government of abandoning the Ijoka road project, which was partially flagged off during the late Governor Akeredolu’s administration but has since been left unattended since his passing in December 2023.
Speaking with journalists, a protest leader, Mr. Dele Akinola, said the action became inevitable after years of neglect and broken promises by successive administrations.
According to him, the Ijoka road, which connects several high-density communities to the Akure city centre, was among the strategic roads earmarked for rehabilitation under the Urban Renewal Initiative of the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s administration.
He explained that contractors began work on some sections between 2022 and early 2023 but left the site after the governor’s death saying the road has deteriorated to an unbearable state.
He said “It’s painful, this road was a top priority for the late governor. He came here himself and promised it would be completed. After his passing, it’s as if the government forgot we exist. The partial work done has already begun to deteriorate due to erosion and lack of maintenance.
“Every rainy season, this road becomes a river. Cars break down daily, tricycles tip over, and people get injured. We have written petitions, made appeals, and even met with government officials, but nothing tangible has been done
This protest is not political, we only want a motorable road. That’s all we’re asking for.”
Community leaders disclosed that the site has since been abandoned, with construction equipment and materials removed. The partial work done has already begun to deteriorate due to erosion and lack of maintenance.
A community leader, Chief Kayode Ogunleye said “This road was a top priority for the late governor. He came here himself and promised it would be completed. After his passing, it’s as if the government forgot we exist.”
He called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to honour Akeredolu’s legacy by completing the abandoned project and said “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 said the worsening condition of Ijoka road has taken a serious toll on Akure’s economy. “Transport fares have skyrocketed, goods are delayed in transit, and road accidents have become frequent.
“Schools in this area have also recorded declining attendance, as parents find it increasingly difficult to transport their children through the damaged route.
“Ijoka Road is not just another street — it’s a lifeline for the people. The late Akeredolu started something good; this administration must finish it. We can’t afford another round of neglect.” he said
Commercial drivers and motorcycle riders, popularly known as Okada, also joined the protest, honking their horns and calling for immediate rehabilitation.
One of the drivers, Sunday Agboola, said he spends nearly half of his daily earnings repairing vehicle parts damaged by the road, and said “Shock absorbers, tyres, and ball joints don’t last anymore. Every week, we are in the mechanic’s workshop. The government must come and see how we suffer,”
Traders and small business owners in the area also expressed frustration over the hardship the bad road has brought.
One of the traders, Mrs. Bola Alade, who runs a food stall at Oke-Aro, said the poor condition of the road has driven away customers, saying “People no longer come here anymore because the road is terrible. We barely make sales.
“Everything has become expensive because transporters charge more. We want Governor Aiyedatiwa to remember that this project was started by his predecessor and should be completed in his honour,” she said.
All attempt to speak with the State Commissioner for Works, Olawoye, were not successful, but a senior official in the Ministry who spoke on condition of anonymity, acknowledged that the government was aware of the poor condition of the road and assured that plans were underway for rehabilitation.
He confirmed that the Ijoka Road was part of the late governor’s urban infrastructure plan and that the current administration intends to review all ongoing projects.
“The Ijoka Road project was one of those affected by funding and transition delays after the unfortunate demise of Governor Akeredolu. However, the government is aware of the road’s importance and is making arrangements to resume work soon,” the official stated.
The Chairman of Akure South Local Government Area, Gbenga Fasua, who visited the scene of the protest, appealed to the residents to remain calm.
He assured them that the state government is aware of the dire condition of Ijoka Road and promised that remedial action would soon be taken to address the plight of the community.
Fasua said the government is committed to restoring the road to a motorable condition and urged the protesters to allow traffic to resume while plans for immediate rehabilitation are finalized.
“We understand your frustration, and the government is not turning a blind eye. Work on Ijoka Road will commence shortly. 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.
However, many residents expressed skepticism, saying they have heard similar assurances in the past without visible results.
The community leaders called on Governor Aiyedatiwa to personally visit the area to witness the extent of the road’s decay and take decisive action, saying that unless work begins soon, more protests could follow.
Security personnel were deployed to the area to maintain order and prevent the protest from turning violent, while some of the security operatives were persuading the protesters to open one lane of the road to allow limited movement of vehicles.
RE: IJOKA ROAD
The attention of the Ondo State Government has been drawn to the protest by residents of the Ijoka community in Akure South Local Government Area on Monday, 10th November 2025, over the condition of the major road linking the community to other parts of Akure metropolis. This concern is understandable.
First, I wish to commend the good people of Ijoka for their patience and endurance over the past months.
It is important to recall that the State Executive Council, presided over by Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, recently approved the construction and rehabilitation of 101.036 kilometres of roads across the state as part of the administration’s efforts to close critical infrastructure gaps.
The Oluwatuyi/Ijoka Road is among the projects considered by the State Executive Council for re-award to address technical issues and cost variations caused by inflation.
Now that the road project has been re-awarded, residents can be rest assured that the contractor will soon remobilize to site and expedite work to ensure its timely completion.
The government once again appeals to the people to remain patient and cooperate with both the government and the contractor to ensure seamless and speedy execution of the project.
Allen Sowore, Esq.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication & Strategy.
10th November, 2025.
