Representatives of some communities in Ogun State, who walked barefoot on Thursday, stormed the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, to protest what they described as systemic neglect, crippling taxation and the erosion of local governance under the current administration.
Organised under the umbrella of the Make Ogun State Great Again movement, the demonstrators, drawn from communities including Ota, Sango, Oju, Ijoko, Abule Aro, Lambe, Akute, Papalanto, Iyana Iyesi, Orimerunmu, Ago Adura and Onibuku, marched to the Governor’s Office to draw attention to what they described as the plight of residents across Ogun’s 20 local government areas.
Speaking during the protest, the convener of MOGA, Olawoye Kayode, explained that the decision to march barefoot was a deliberate symbolic act representing what he described as the economic hardship faced by residents.
He said, “We stand before you as the living breath of the state: the artisans, market women, youths, elders, and every citizen,” the convener declared. “Look at our feet… We came barefoot deliberately, because our bare feet tell a story that must be understood. Our bare feet represent our hardship. We walked barefoot today because your government has left us bare.”
Olawoye lamented that despite what he described as billions of naira spent on state overhead costs, basic infrastructure across major economic arteries such as Sango, Ota, Akute and Ijoko had deteriorated, while small traders continued to face multiple taxation.
“Yes, we came to Oke-Mosan today to demand an end to political slavery in the state. We are here to declare that the state does not belong to a selected few,” the convener added.
“The allocations that come into the state belong to the people. The internally generated revenue (IGR) is squeezed from our sweat. We are not slaves begging for crumbs from the master’s table. We are citizens. We are taxpayers,” he added.
He said, “We are here to protest the lack of good roads, lack of health centres, lack of electricity… like everything is down. So, we’ve been writing to the governor, but he has not been attending to us. We have now chosen the delegates to come and see the governor face-to-face. That’s why we are here.”
Highlighting what he described as the historic nature of the demonstration, the leader said that touching the earth barefoot at the seat of power served as a solemn vow that residents would no longer tolerate neglect or deception.
To address their grievances, Olawoye presented four immediate demands to the state leadership.
He called for immediate infrastructural intervention, including emergency road rehabilitation and increased funding for neglected grassroots communities.
Olawoye also called for a comprehensive review of the multiple taxation system affecting small market traders and local transport workers.
The protesters further demanded a transparent framework to ensure that local communities received a fair share of federal allocations and state revenues, as well as the implementation of local government financial autonomy to enable councils to address grassroots needs and development more effectively.
Olawoye concluded with a direct call for action, saying, “Your Excellency, we have come in absolute peace. We have come to make our voices heard, and we urge your administration to listen to the people and respond to these demands for the greatness of our dear state.”
The Special Adviser to the state governor on Security, AIG Olusola Subair (rtd), who addressed the protesters, commended the group for its peaceful conduct and promised that their message would be delivered to Governor Dapo Abiodun for intervention.
Subair said that “Normally, the Governor was supposed to be here to see you, but due to some exigencies, he is not available. He has delegated me to come, receive you, and speak to you. Let me commend you for the mature manner in which you have organized this protest walk. I want to inform you that just last month, the Governor and the Executive Council approved the construction and reconstruction of several roads, and that work is already ongoing.
“We know that everything you have tabled here represents genuine concerns, and you have proven yourselves to be noble advocates for the grievances of the people. I want to express my sincere appreciation and assure you that your coming here today will not be in vain.
“Just as you mentioned in your speech—that you trust something positive will come out of this walk—I assure you that everything you have presented will be brought directly to the Governor, and action will definitely be taken. You will see the results of your march today.
“Once again, I commend and appreciate you for how you have conducted yourselves. You have demonstrated great maturity. As you said, you are landlords—not people acting out of desperation, but citizens standing up for those who are suffering. We will communicate everything to the Governor, and you will see action taken on every issue you have raised.Thank you very much for coming. I will receive the document you brought and pass it directly to the Governor. As you head back, please continue to remain peaceful and ensure that no hoodlums are allowed to hijack your march”.