The TakeItBack Movement (TIB) and the African Action Congress (AAC) have jointly issued a seven-day ultimatum to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to halt the planned demolition of residential buildings at the Alagbaka Government Quarters in Akure or face mass action.
In a strongly worded press statement released on Tuesday and signed by TIB Coordinator, Owolabi Patrick; AAC State Secretary, Akinnusi Emola; and former AAC Gubernatorial Candidate, Kunle Wizeman Ajayi, the groups condemned what they described as “prodigal acts” by the state government, alleging that the demolition was a ploy to hand over the property to a hidden developer.
According to them, aides of the governor have been used to front the demolition exercise in a bid to shield Aiyedatiwa from public backlash and maintain an image of innocence.
“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,” the statement alleged.
The coalition further claimed that lawmakers in the Ondo State House of Assembly have been promised two units each in the proposed housing estate to be erected on the site, while other politicians are being lobbied with promises of allocations.
“Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa neither cares for the spate of insecurity nor the mass poverty in Ondo State. He only cares about his pockets,” the statement read, adding that the governor has relied on state apparatus, particularly the office of the Attorney-General, to stifle criticism through arrests for alleged cyberstalking.
Describing the proposed demolitions as a “sudden attack” on civil servants’ accommodation and livelihoods, the groups said their findings from affected residents, labour leaders and activists show that the justification of ‘renovation’ is unfounded.
They particularly frowned at the inclusion of the T.A. Iwajomo House—a building reportedly constructed in honour of the state’s first Head of Service—among the structures marked for demolition.
“T.A. Iwajomo House is still shining. It is a beautiful edifice built to honour a great man, yet it has been marked for demolition. This is clear evidence that the so-called renovation claim is fake,” the groups said.
The coalition urged Governor Aiyedatiwa to shift his housing ambitions to undeveloped areas like Oda and Isikan, and establish new estates across all local governments in the state rather than tamper with historical residential quarters built during the administration of former Governor Adekunle Ajasin.
They alleged that the same government recently spent N775 million to repair a short fence at Alagbaka Quarters, describing such expenditure as extravagant and unnecessary.
Citing the rising anxiety among civil servants and alleging that some are already battling health complications such as high blood pressure due to the uncertainty, the groups gave the governor a seven-day window to apologise publicly and suspend the plan.
“We call on all affected workers to keep faith, stand strong, and remain united. There is no cause for lamenting,” the groups said, adding that they are mobilising for mass action once the ultimatum expires.
In a show of solidarity, the statement also expressed sympathy with the people of the state over the rise in killings, kidnappings and violent crimes since Governor Aiyedatiwa assumed office, describing his government as an imposition.
“The time to unite and fight so as to take our beloved Sunshine State back is now!” the statement concluded.
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