By Ade Oyeyemi
Tension erupted in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Wednesday as commercial motorcycle operators, popularly known as Okada riders, clashed with ticket sellers over alleged multiple levies.
Several people were reportedly injured during confrontations at different locations across the metropolis as some riders resisted attempts by revenue collectors to enforce payment of another levy.
The riders alleged that they were being asked to pay N7,000 for an emblem purportedly introduced by the Akure South Local Government Area.
They accused the council chairman, Gbenga Fasua, of authorising the collection, but the chairman denied any involvement in the alleged levy.
The disagreement disrupted commercial motorcycle operations in parts of the city, with some riders abandoning their routes and joining protests against the payment.
One of the operators, Jimoh Akindele, alleged that enforcement agents had been deployed to strategic locations to compel riders to purchase the emblem.
“What they are doing is double taxation. How can Hon. Fasua be selling emblem for riders in Akure South for N7,000? They send boys to different locations to collect money from us.
“We were told the money is for Akure South Local Government and not for the state government. The state government is not even aware. We cannot continue like this. Enough is enough,” he said.
Another rider, who identified himself as Adekunle, said the operators were not opposed to paying legitimate government charges but complained about what he described as repeated collections without adequate explanation.
He alleged that riders were sometimes issued one ticket in the morning before another set of collectors appeared later to demand additional payments.
“We pay in the morning and another person will come later to demand another ticket. When we ask, they will say it is for Akure South Local Government. No satisfactory explanation,” Adekunle said.
He further alleged that the local security outfit, Tiger Base, was being used to intimidate Okada riders and appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to intervene before the situation escalated.
However, Fasua denied authorising the sale of the emblem, insisting that neither he nor the Akure South Local Government had approved the collection.
The chairman said the council had not received any money from the alleged levy and that he only became aware of the matter after encountering protesting riders in front of the Government Office.
According to him, the riders said they had already obtained stickers earlier in the year, including one issued during the Ogun Festival, but were being asked to purchase another.
“I told them to hold on with these sales. Let’s get clarity from Mr Governor. I went to about two other spots and told them to suspend the sales until we get clarity from the Governor.
“I am the representative of the people of Akure. I was voted for and I am their voice. That was why I said, let me speak with the Governor about it,” Fasua said.
The chairman said the appearance of the name of Akure South Local Government on the emblem did not mean it was authorised by the council.
“They wrote the name of my local government on it, but it does not come from me. When they showed me the ones they had taken, the first one for the year and the second one, they were using the name of my local government to generate funds.
“I know nothing about it, and not even a dime has come to the local government,” he said.
Fasua said the emblem shown to him was being sold for more than N7,000 and questioned why the proceeds were not remitted to the council if its name was being used for the collection.
He urged the riders and other parties involved to remain calm and avoid protests or actions capable of disrupting the peace in Akure.
“My message is that they should stop such. We are not aware of those things, and specifically, Akure is known for peace.
“Please, let’s avoid any form of protest or action that will break the peace we are enjoying in Akure,” the chairman appealed.
