Barely 48 hours after some residents along the Sango-Ijoko-Akute-Alagbole-Ojodu Road staged a demonstration against the planned further demolition of structures in the area by the state government, some other people of the area on Thursday carried out a counter-protest.
The counter-protesters, including those claiming to be the original inhabitants of the area, scores of market men and women, members of some unions and other interest groups, declared their support for the ongoing expansion of the road by the Ibikunle Amosun-led administration in the state.
The state government had on Wednesday in a statement shelved its earlier plans to further extend the initial limit of the road and demolish houses and shops by additional eight metres following Tuesday’s protest.
But the indigenes disowned those involved in the Tuesday protest, saying they were not residents of the area.
Bearing placards with various inscriptions such as, “We are authentic indigenes of Sango-Ijoko, we support Amosun”, “Amosun more
blessing; more grace”, and “Sango community is for Amosun,” the protesters chanted various solidarity songs.
Addressing the protesters, the Babaloja of Sango, Sakiru Olasege, said traders in the area were in support of the planned further demolition.
Olasege added that the expansion of the road was long overdue, saying, “We appreciate the governor for giving us this type of development that we have been waiting for since 10 years ago. That is why we are here to counter the previous information given to the government on Tuesday.”
The Iyaloja of Sango, Alhaja Saudat Balogun, urged the government to go ahead with the further demolition if necessary.
Balogun, who was represented by her daughter, Alhaja Mujidat Olabintan, added that those opposed to the planned further demolition were enemies of progress.
The market leader also endorsed the planned relocation of the Sango Market by the governor, saying that the area needed a bigger and modern market.
The President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo in Sango and leader of the Igbo traders in the area, Chief Amadi Madu, said sacrifices must be made for developments of such magnitude to be achieved.
Madu, who claimed to have lived in the area for about 35 years expressed disappointment with some of his kinsmen whom he said defied his advice and joined the Tuesday protest.
He said, “You know for development like this, there are bound to be some sacrifices. So if those sacrifices are coming, one should not wave it off but accept. We have to move forward. Those good things have to be done. Without making those sacrifices, we won’t get whatever good thing we have in this Sango”.
The Otun Oba of Sango, Alhaji Wasiu Dawodu-Olundegun commended the Amosun administration for the initiatives.
He urged the indigenes and other residents to give their full support to the ongoing road expansion in order to bring development to the area.
Copyright PUNCH.
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