The city of Ado Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State in Nigeria, witnessed a tense situation on Thursday as some members of the Association of Commercial Motorcyclists, popularly known as Okada riders, staged a protest against their leaders.
The protesters accused the executives of the association of corruption, high-handedness, abuse of power, attack on colleagues and misappropriation of funds. They also claimed that the leaders hired thugs who harassed and assaulted them over ticket fees and mask wearing.
The protest turned violent as the aggrieved riders blocked some streets and major junctions, calling for the removal of the current executives. They alleged that one of their members was pushed off his bike by a thug while carrying a passenger, resulting in serious injuries for both of them.
However, the crisis was swiftly resolved by the intervention of the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, who summoned both parties to his palace for a meeting.
The monarch, who spoke through the Eyesorun of Ado Ekiti, urged them to maintain peace and respect the law.
He said that the ticket fee of 300 naira per day was not too much for the riders to pay, considering the services they rendered to the public.
He also supported the decision of the leaders to enforce mask wearing among the riders, saying it was a necessary measure to prevent insecurity and criminal activities by impostors.
Oba Adejugbe advised the leaders of the association to be fair and transparent in their dealings with their members and to correct them with love when they err. He also ordered all warring members to return to their work and cooperate with their leaders.
The chairman of the association, Comrade Kunle Ashaolu, expressed his appreciation to the monarch for his intervention.
He explained that the crisis was triggered by the implementation of the government’s policy to stop motorcyclists from wearing masks, which some members resisted. He said that the policy was aimed at curbing insecurity and other criminal activities being perpetrated by some evil persons hiding under the guise of Okada riders.
The Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Dare Ogundare, also met with both parties shortly after the meeting at the palace. He charged them to give peace a chance and ensure that the current peaceful atmosphere being enjoyed in the state is sustained.
He implored them to cultivate the habit of channeling their complaints appropriately and in accordance with the laid down rules and regulations rather than taking laws in their hands.
Both parties pledged to maintain peace and order and thanked the monarch and the police commissioner for their roles in resolving the conflict.
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