– deplores alleged inhuman farmers’ treatment
– Aiyedatiwa: Claims misleading
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has accused Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of inhuman treatment of protesting cocoa farmers.
In a statement by its Director of Media and Publicity, PDP, in Ondo State, Leye Igbabo, the party faulted the state government’s alleged desire to rob the farmers of their livelihood.
Following bis the full statement titledO “ndo PDP Cautions Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa Against Inhuman Treatments of Farmers In Oluwa Forest Reserve (OA3A), Odigbo Local Government Area Of Ondo State”:
“The Peoples Democratic Party Ondo State Chapter frowns at the inhuman treatment and frustrations which farmers at Oluwa Forest Reserve (OA3A), Odigbo LG are going through in the hands of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his administration by the wilful attempt to dispossess the farmers of their means of livelihood after the government had collected appropriate levies and dues running into several millions, from the same farmers on the farmlands allocated to them by the same government.
“After the farmers have been made to pay all manner of levies which include but not limited to annual rent on the hectares of land allocated, security dues and identity card levies, the government yet again brought some so-called investors to come and destroy the cocoa plantations of the helpless farmers for the purpose of planting palm oil trees on the same farmlands.
“This action is not only wicked but also, essentially fraudulent in nature.
“Our Party finds it hard to fathom the government’s motives behind destroying sprawling cocoa plantations for palm oil plantations when both products are of similar economic values.
“The cocoa plantations on the farmlands are already providing sources of income and succour to the farmers after several years of their labour on the farmlands. One wonders why such plantations should be targeted for destruction for similar economic trees which survival are still subject and susceptible to any unfavorable climatic conditions.
“The Party is aware that Ondo State is abundantly blessed with arable and fertile land which can be used for any agricultural purposes, and had thought therefore that the government, if its actions were in the best interest of the people, should have looked for other hectares of land located elsewhere to use for any other purposes including agriculture, rather than struggling to waste the efforts of the citizens whose welfare the Constitution succinctly commands him to provide and cater for.
“The Peoples Democratic Party Ondo State Chapter draws the attention of the Governor and his administration to the dire consequences of this self-serving agenda which include starvation, deprivation, frustration , increased crimes, avoidable violence and untimely deaths, and therefore admonishes him to add human face and feelings to governance for once, by allowing the poor farmers to breath and enjoy the fruits of their many years of labour.”
Meanwhile the Governor in a statement by his spokesman,Ebenezer Adeniyan, had earlier debunked the allegations against him as misleading.
Underneath is the statement titled “SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON COCOA FARMERS’ PROTEST AND THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS”:
“The attention of the Ondo State Government has been drawn to reports of protests by some cocoa farmers over farm settlements in the state.
“The said reports contain a number of misleading claims, emotional distortions, and deliberate misrepresentations aimed at discrediting the government’s ongoing efforts to reform and sanitise land use practices within government reserve areas across the state.
“The Ondo State Government reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the welfare of genuine farmers and the responsible, equitable, and legal use of only declassified degraded forest reserves for agricultural purposes. It is, however, necessary to clarify and correct the public narrative currently being circulated:
“Illegal Occupation and Breach of Agreement:
“Many of the aggrieved farmers currently occupying parts of the Oluwa Forest Reserve (OA3A) have breached existing agreements and exceeded designated land allocation parameters. Some have encroached into restricted forest zones without authorisation, while others have failed to comply with the agreed land use terms, posing serious environmental and security concerns.
“Due Process and Court Orders:
“Contrary to the claims of contempt for court injunctions, the Ondo State Government and all related agencies; public and private, have acted strictly within the framework of the law.
Where litigations are ongoing, every step taken has been guided by legal counsel, verified surveys, and documented notifications. No action has been taken arbitrarily.
“On Hon. Rotimi Wemimo Akinsola:
Hon. Akinsola, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Agribusiness, is a government appointee overseeing agribusiness in the state.
“His role involves the strategic management of large-scale commercial agriculture investors granted concessions to develop extensive hectares of land, an effort that is expected to create thousands of jobs and boost the state’s revenue.
“Claims suggesting that he is involved in land grabbing are not only false but politically driven and completely at variance with the facts.
“Clarification on Mr. Ayo Sotinrin and SAO Agro-Allied Services:
“It is equally important to clarify that Mr. Ayo Sotinrin is the Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture, a federal government institution.
“Allegations implying that he is using a private firm to seize farmlands are malicious, unfounded, and a clear attempt at character assassination.
SAO Agro-Allied Services, on its part, has been operating under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement approved by the state since 2021.
“The firm’s acquisition and development of agro-industrial zones have followed due process and are under full government oversight. None of its activities involves the unlawful takeover of legally secured farms.
“Government’s Position and the Way Forward:
“Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa wishes to state emphatically that at no time, whether during electioneering or otherwise, did he make any promise to support illegal occupants of government land or forest reserves.
“His administration remains committed to legal, inclusive, and forward-looking agricultural development. An investigation is ongoing to identify genuine farmers with verifiable claims, separate from speculators and unlawful occupants.
“The Governor remains open to dialogue with all stakeholders and is determined to protect livelihoods without compromising the rule of law.
“The Ondo State Government therefore calls on members of the public, particularly the media, to seek proper clarification before publishing one-sided or misleading reports.
“This administration remains committed to transparency, environmental sustainability, and the growth of agriculture as the backbone of the state’s economy.”
