Barefoot and bearing a four-point charter of demands, representatives from communities across Ogun State converged on the Governor’s Office at the Oke-Mosan Secretariat in Abeokuta to protest what they termed systemic neglect, crippling taxation, and the erosion of local governance under the current administration.
Organized under the umbrella of the Make Ogun State Great Again (MOGA) movement, the demonstrators—drawn from grassroots hubs including Ota, Sango, Ijoko, Abule Aro, Lambe, Akute, Papalanto, Iyana Iyesi, Orimerunmu, Ago Adura, Onibuku, Jakola, and Seriki—marched through the state capital to draw urgent attention to the plight of residents across Ogun’s 20 local government areas.
Addressing newsmen and state officials at the secretariat gates, the convener of MOGA Olawoye Kayode explained that the decision to march barefoot was a deliberate symbolic act representing the economic nakedness and hardship imposed on everyday citizens.
“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 barefooted deliberately, because our bare feet tell a story that must be understood. Our bare feet represent our hardship. We walked barefooted today because your government has left us bare.”
The convener lamented that despite billions spent on state overhead costs, basic infrastructure across major economic arteries like Sango, Ota, Akute, and Ijoko has collapsed, while small traders continue to be suffocated by 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.”
Highlighting the historic nature of the demonstration, the leader stated 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 resolve the impasse, the movement presented four immediate demands to the state leadership:
1. Immediate Infrastructural Intervention: Emergency road rehabilitation and enhanced funding for neglected grassroots communities.
2. Economic Relief: A comprehensive review and overhaul of the multiple taxation system hitting small market traders and local transport workers.
3. Grassroots Resource Allocation: A transparent framework ensuring local communities receive a fair share of federal allocations and state revenues.
4. Local Government Financial Autonomy: Direct measures enabling local government councils to address grassroots needs effectively.
Reiterating that the movement traveled to the secretariat in peace, the MOGA convener concluded with a direct call to action for the governor: “Your Excellency, the ball is in your court. 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.”
The special assistance to the state governor, AIG Olusola Subar commended the group for their peaceful conduct, and promised them that their message will be delivered to the government of Prince Dapo Abiodun.