Ekiti Airport Saga: Farmers Protest to Gov’s Office, Demand Compensation

Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti

Farmers whose lands were affected by the ongoing Ekiti Airport Project yesterday staged a protest at the governor’s office premises in Ado Ekiti, the state capital.

The farmers were drawn across all the towns and villages of  Igbemo, Orun, Afao, ijan, Igbogun, Bolorunduro, Iwajo, Aso and Ago Aduloju comprising of Ado, Irepodun/Ifelodun and Gbonyin local governments respectively.  

The aged farmers thronged the governor’s office to appeal to Governor Abayomi Oyebanji to please come to their aid and pay the compensation promised them by the government.

The protesters converged around 9:00 a.m. with placards:  “We are dying of hunger, Oyebanji Please Save Our lives, The Airport Project Took Our livelihood” amongst others to drive home their requests.

Speaking on behalf of the aggrieved farmers, Mr. Awe Ojo, said that majority of the farmers were not paid compensation for their lands by ex-Governor Fayemi. 

He said: “Fayemi during the inauguration even confirmed that majority of us have not been paid our entitlements, very few of us received the money promised after the meeting and since then the rest of us have been totally neglected.

“Fayemi promised to pay remaining money but unfortunately we don’t know what happened to it before he left office”

Mr. Edemo also maintained that the affected farmers are more in numbers than those that came out today but majority who are old and aged could not make the tiring journey to Ado Ekiti.

“We are also here on behalf of those old men and women who could not join us today due to their failing health. It is not until they die that they should receive what is rightfully theirs, we know Governor Abayomi Oyebanji to be a man with a kind heart and a listening and that is why we are here today to appeal to him to please come to our aid.”

Other members of the affected communities also expressed their hope that the governor would surely attend to their demands.

Addressing the protesters, the Executive Secretary, Land and Housing Mr. Adedayo Olajide, appealed to the farmers to be calm.

Oladije assured them that the Governor Oyebanji is aware of their predicament and ready to attend to their needs.

He also assured the farmers of the state government readiness to ensure that their entitlement is paid as soon as possible.