Ireakari Youths Storm Ondo Governor’s Office, Decry Years of Neglect
Akure, Ondo State — November 7, 2025
Protesting what they described as years of government neglect, hundreds of youths from the Ireakari axis of Ose Local Government Area, Ondo State, on Wednesday, stormed the Governor’s Office in Alagbaka, Akure, demanding urgent intervention in the deplorable state of infrastructure and public services in their communities.
The protesters, drawn from the four towns that make up Ireakari Local Council Development Area (LCDA) — Afo, Imeri, Idogun and Idoani — carried placards with inscriptions such as “Irekari is part of Ondo State,” “No road, no bank, no light,” “We have been marginalized,” and “Mr. Governor, we are suffering.”
Led by Adewumi Adekola, the youths lamented that residents have endured years without good roads, healthcare facilities, electricity, or educational infrastructure. Adekola said the situation had worsened to the point that students of Irekari Comprehensive Grammar School, Idoani, would have to travel to Owo to sit for their Computer-Based WAEC exams due to the absence of a CBT centre in the LCDA.
According to him, several lives have been lost because patients must travel about two hours to access the Federal Medical Centre in Owo. “Many people have died on the road, including a Reverend Father who passed away on his way to Owo two weeks ago,” Adekola lamented.
The protesters accused the state government of excluding Ireakari LCDA from its recent emergency road intervention projects. They also decried the relocation of the Magistrate and Customary Courts from Idoani, which they said was due to the terrible state of access roads.
In a protest letter titled “A Letter of Protest and Charter of Our Demands”, jointly signed by Adewumi Adekola, Ade Akingbade, and Femi Agbaje, the Irekari Progressive Youth Movement urged Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to take immediate steps to address the infrastructural decay in their area.
The letter reads in part:
“Our community is fast becoming ostracised from the rest of the state. We have no access to medicare due to a moribund general hospital, our roads are impassable, and the erratic power supply is worsened by exploitation from BEDC officials. Even our courts have been relocated due to bad roads. Mr. Governor, save our soul; we deserve a good life too.”
Their charter of demands includes:
Immediate repair of the Afo–Idoani Road
Overhaul of Idoani General Hospital
Reversal of court relocations
Restoration of stable power supply
Renovation and staffing of Irekari Comprehensive Grammar School
Strengthening of local security architecture
Receiving the protesters on behalf of the governor, Smart Omodunbi Jr., Special Adviser on Political Matters, assured them that their grievances would be promptly delivered to Governor Aiyedatiwa.
Omodunbi said,
“I want to assure you that I will deliver this letter to the governor. He’s already aware that you are here, and I have his authority to attend to you. Immediate action will be taken once he reads your letter.”
He praised the youths for their peaceful conduct, noting that the governor remains committed to addressing issues affecting young people and rural communities in the state.
