The African Action Congress (AAC), has issued a strong warning to the Ondo State Government over the planned demolition of Alagbaka Government Quarters in Akure.
In a joint press statement with the Take It Back Movement Ondo Chapter, released today, Wednesday 16th of April 2024, they condemned what they described as a “prodigal and anti-people” move by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and threatened mass resistance if the demolition proceeds.
The statement, signed by Akinnusi Emola (AAC State Secretary), Comrade Patrick (TIB Coordinator Ondo Chapter) and Kunle Wizeman Ajayi (Former AAC Gubernatorial Candidate), accused Governor Aiyedatiwa of acting in bad faith by disguising the demolition under the pretense of renovations.
According to the statement, several buildings within the Alagbaka quarters — currently occupied by civil servants — have already been marked for demolition without proper consultation or consideration for the welfare of the occupants.
“The excuse of renovation is laughable and fake,” the statement read. “Even historic buildings like the T.A. Iwajomo House, which remains structurally sound and was built in honour of the state’s first Head of Service, have been marked for demolition. This only confirms the governor’s ulterior motives.”
The statement revealed further that the governor has already sold the earmarked buildings to a private developer, with promises of estate units being dangled before lawmakers and political allies as incentives. They described the move as corrupt, self-serving, and a betrayal of public trust.
In addition, they criticized the governor’s administration for its handling of security challenges and poverty in the state, describing Aiyedatiwa as a leader more interested in personal gain than in delivering good governance. They also accused him of using state institutions, including the police and the Attorney-General, to clamp down on dissent.
A seven-working-day ultimatum was issued to the governor to halt the demolition plan and publicly apologize to affected workers. The AAC and TIB warned that failure to comply would result in coordinated mass action.
“Civil servants and residents must stand united,” the statement urged. “If the governor wants to build a housing legacy, let him move to available lands in Oda, Isikan, and across the local governments — not demolish a legacy estate built by the visionary Adekunle Ajasin.”
The statement concluded with a note of solidarity to citizens of the state, decrying the recent surge in insecurity, violence, and kidnappings, which they say have worsened since Aiyedatiwa “imposed himself” as governor.
See the full statement below:
PRESS STATEMENT
GOVERNOR AIYEDATIWA MUST STOP THE PLANNED DEMOLITION OF ALAGBAKA GOVERNMENT QUARTERS; OR FACE MASS ACTIONS FOR SUCH PRODIGAL ACTS!
The TakeItBack Movement (TIB) and the African Action Congress (AAC,) as well as well-meaning and concerned activists in Ondo State have been studying the situations at the Alagbaka Government Quarters, Akure for the past two weeks since the government has earmarked buildings that civil servants live in for demolition in the guise of some nonsensical and after-thought renovations.
Trying to appear unaware, the demolition is being fronted by aides of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa so that he would continue to appear naive, saintly, and innocent.
We are very sure that the demolition is being done by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as he has sold all the marked buildings to a developer whose identity is being hidden. Same Akotileta Governor has also promised all the members of the House of Assembly and the Speaker two units of the planned new estates each. Greedy politicians are also being lobbied with units.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa neither cares for the spare of insecurities and the level of mass poverty in Ondo State. He only cares about his pockets. This is why he never had a real manifesto during campaigns, and has been using the police through Attorney-General Kayode Ajulo to arrest critics for the so-called cyber stalking.
As a movement and a party, we have conducted serious opinions from the affected civil servants, as well as even Labour legends and current Leaders. It is clear that the excuse of renovations is laughable and fake. After all, the beautiful edifice that is the T.A Iwajomo House is still shining and has been marked too for demolitions. T.A Iwajomo was the first Head of Service in Ondo State, and workers built the house to honour him inside the Alagbaka Government Quarters. But prodigals now do no care!
With this press statement, we give Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa seven working days to come public with apologies to the civil servants and workers living at the Alagbaka Government Quarters as many of them are now developing blood pressures with the sudden attacks on their accommodations as well as livelihoods. If Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is interested in having a Housing Legacy, let him move to the plenty bushes in Oda, Isikan, and other places and build worthy housing estates for the people there. He should also do this in all Local Governments of the state. After all, the Alagbaka Government Quarters is a legacy of the great Adekunle Ajasin which was built within three years of his government then.
We call on all workers affected to keep faith, stand strong, and keep united as we will be taking up mass actions as the deadline approaches. There is no cause for lamenting. There is nothing good that can come from a governor who spent #775million to repair a short fence at the same Alagbaka other than sorrow, tears, and blood (in the words of Fela!)
We also use this opportunity to once again solidarize with Ondo State people over the killings, kidnappings, and violences that have marred the state since Lucky Aiyedatiwa imposed himself on us last year. The time to unite and fight so as to take our beloved Sunshine State back is now!!!
Signed,
Owolabi Patrick,
TIB Coordinator.
Akinnusi Emola,
AAC State Secretary.
Kunle Wizeman Ajayi,
Former AAC Gubernatorial Candidate.
16th April, 2025.
