Daud Olatunji
The youth of Ipokia Local Government in Ogun State have issued a stern warning to the state government, threatening a massive protest over its continued silence on the lingering fuel supply crisis affecting border communities.
The youths, under the aegis of the Ipokia Local Government Youth Forum (IPYF), decried the hardship inflicted by the Federal Government’s 20-kilometer petrol supply suspension policy, which they described as “inhumane and demonic.”
PLATFORM TIMES reports that the crisis has started since 2019 when the Federal Government ordered the shut down of the border and suspension of fuel around the border communities.
In an open letter signed by the forum’s chairman, Arch. Com. Imoleayo Mawutin Deji and addressed to the state governor, Dapo Abiodun, the group expressed deep frustration over what they termed the government’s “uncivil silence” on a policy that has paralyzed economic activities in their communities.
They lamented that the restriction, which has been in place since 2019, has led to skyrocketing transportation costs, soaring commodity prices, and worsening living conditions for residents.
The group said farmers, traders, transporters, and ordinary citizens have borne the brunt of the policy, struggling daily to access fuel and sustain their livelihoods.
While acknowledging that the policy was initially introduced to curb the smuggling of subsidized petrol to neighboring countries, the youth forum argued that its relevance ceased following the Federal Government’s removal of fuel subsidy under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
According to the group, other states with similar geographical challenges have intervened to alleviate the suffering of their citizens, but Ogun State has remained unresponsive.
“Our people wonder why your administration remains silent on this matter,” the letter read.
“The bottom line is that your cronies are the biggest beneficiaries of this devilish policy at the expense of the masses. Any administration that neglects the welfare of its people is failing in its fundamental duty.”
The group further stated that all diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis had been exhausted, including writing multiple letters to the federal and state governments, engaging relevant agencies, and holding meetings with stakeholders.
The forum’s chairman, Arch. Com. Imoleayo Mawutin Deji, has reportedly taken the issue to the Nigeria Customs Broadcasting Network in Abuja and submitted petitions to the Comptroller-General of Customs and the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).
The chairman also recently voiced their grievances on Splash FM’s Panorama program.
Having received no response from the government, the youths have now resolved to escalate their agitation.
They warned that if the state government fails to take immediate action, they will mobilize for a protest comparable to the historic #EndSARS movement, vowing to shut down all government facilities in border communities across Ogun State.
“If this hardship persists without any sign of hope, we will have no choice but to mobilize for a massive protest that will spread like wildfire. All government facilities will be grounded until our rights are acknowledged,” the letter stated.
The IPYF called on Governor Abiodun to urgently engage the relevant federal authorities to either review or provide an alternative solution to the petrol supply restriction, emphasizing that history will remember leaders who stood by their people in times of adversity.
“We implore you to break your silence and stand with the people you swore to protect,” the youths urged.
As tensions rise, all eyes are now on the Ogun State Government to see whether it will address the concerns of its border communities or risk facing a large-scale protest that could disrupt activities across the state.
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