Protesters block Ore-Lagos expressway over alleged destruction of valuable crops

. Farmers seek Aiyedatiwa’s intervention

DAMISI OJO, Akure

There was protest on Sunday by farmers in Ondo State over alleged land grabbing and destruction of their farm crops through which they sustained their means of livelihood.

The protesters called for the immediate removal of the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Agriculture and Agric-Business, Rotimi Akinsola

They also sought the resignation of the Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture (BoA), Mr. Ayo Sotinrin, following alleged destruction of their cocoa farms in the Oluwa Forest Reserve (OA3A), Odigbo Local Government Area, of the state.

The aggrieved Farmers who carried different placards with various inscriptions blocked Ore/Lagos Expressway protesting against what they described as a government-backed land grabbing and destruction of their valuable crops. This development resulted into heavy gridlock

Speaking with reporters, the farmers said despite paying millions into the coffer of the state government and legally recognized by the government as farmers in the reserves, the Governor’s aide and the Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture (BoA) took bulldozers to their respective farms and destroyed their cocoa farms.

The aggrieved farmers had placards which read:  “Akinsola Must Go”,” Sotinrin Must Go,” “Save Our Cocoa Farms,” “Obey Court Order,” “Aiyedatiwa Save Our Means of Livelihood” among other messages.

‘’SAO Agro-Allied Services Limited, a private company owned by Sotinrin, has been bulldozing their crops and seizing portions of land they have farmed for years, despite an injunction from the Ondo State High Court ordering both the state government and SAO Agro to refrain from any demolition or eviction activities”.

The Farmers urged Governor Aiyedatiwa to quickly intervene and call Akinsola to order while also asking the farmers friendly governor to act as a matter of urgency to remove Wemimo as Senior Special Assistant on Agriculture and Agribusiness in the state.

“Your Excellency, with the action and steps so far taken by Wemimo, we humbly request for his sacking because he no longer represents the interests of the farmers, which should ordinarily be his primary responsibility. We are no longer safe with him for as long he remains in the saddle because he prioritizes the private firm over us”

They also demanded the resignation of the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Ayo Sotinrin from office saying the collateral damages done by the duo of Wemimo and Sotinrin if not checked, will give Aiyedatiwa led administration a bad name.

According to them” We are tenants of the government, not illegal occupants. We pay millions to the state every year for the right to farm here. Yet, SAO Agro, owned by the MD of the Bank of Agriculture, has come with bulldozers and destroyed our cocoa trees, even though there is a court order preventing them from doing so.”

The farmers recalled that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa upon assumption of office, assured the farmers during several meetings that they would no longer destroy Cocoa farms in the forest, noting that every level and dues requested from them were paid accordingly.

They said “Since Akinsola took office, he has shown total hatred, hostility, and unfriendliness towards us. He has sided openly with SAO Agro and has acted more as ‘SSA to private companies’ than to farmers.He has been threatening us with eviction, arrest, and detention, claiming to be acting on the orders of the Governor.”

The farmers further accused Akinsola of “weaponizing” his office, asserting that his actions have been aimed at benefiting private investors at the expense of the farming community.

In their statement, the farmers described Akinsola’s actions as an abuse of office, and they accused Sotinrin of using his federal position for private gain at the expense of small holder farmers.

The farmers said if the levy and dues from them are going to the government purse accordingly, Wemimo should be cautioned and shown the way out.

They stressed that the era of one man conniving with others to divert public funds is over.

Efforts to reach out to the SSA to Governor Aiyedatiwa on Agric and Agro business Rotimi Akinsola for Comments failed as his line was dead.