We Are Apolitical, Only Want Our Road Fixed – Osun Community Counters Adeleke’s SSA Claim On Peaceful Protest
Residents of Unity Estate, Ido-Osun, have debunked allegations that their peaceful protest concerning their abandoned road was politically motivated.
The residents in a disclaimer signed by the community’s Development Association chairman, Alhaji Sheu Taofeek, the community Secretary,
Mr Ojo Gideon and the community Public Relations Officer, Engr Adio Michael, said the peaceful protest was not in any way meant to disrespect the office of the governor.
The disclaimer was in response to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Government House Transport Pool, Alhaji Rasaki Oluomo, claiming that the protest was politically motivated.
Oluomo had, in the statement, claimed that the protest was carried out mainly by APC-affiliated community members who chose to politicize the matter.
He also claimed to had personally led members of the affected community on several visits to the Ministry of Works in order to get solution, a statement that was outrightly rejected as untrue by the community.
In the disclaimer, a copy obtained by OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday, the community noted that insinuations from some quarters that the protest was to target some people are false and misleading.
The residents noted that the peaceful protest was neither political nor incited by any political party or actor, adding that the community only called attention to the poor condition of their access roads.
“It has come to our attention that certain individuals have attempted to mischaracterize the protest as politically motivated and targeted at specific individuals or families within the state’s leadership. We wish to state categorically and without ambiguity that these allegations are entirely false, unfounded, and misleading.
“The demonstration was neither political nor incited by any political party or actor. It was a peaceful, community-led exercise of democratic rights by concerned residents calling attention to the poor condition of their access roads and appealing for urgent government intervention. Contrary to some misleading reports and insinuations, including those referenced in the Osun Defender; there is no evidence whatsoever to support claims that these demonstrations were targeted against any individual or political family,” the statement noted.
The statement further stated that those politicising the peaceful protest were doing so to divert attention from real issues affecting the daily lives of ordinary residents.
“The inclusion of the Adeleke family in these narratives is not only misleading but also diverts attention from the real issues affecting the daily lives of ordinary residents.
“To further correct the distorted narrative being pushed by some quarters, we wish to highlight the fact that: Similar peaceful demonstrations were conducted by at least three other communities across Osun State on the same day or earlier, all of which raised parallel concerns about infrastructure neglect. These include: Aratumi, Araromi, Akogun, Okete Igbale, Asejere, Alagbaede, and Isundun Communities, along Osogbo-Ikirun road in Olorunda local government area, Aduramigba Community Osogbo in Egbedore local government area
Each of these communities took independent action to draw attention to the infrastructural neglect in their areas, seeking government intervention through civil and peaceful means.”
The statement added “These actions reflect a ‘wider grassroots concern’ about road conditions and public amenities, and they should not be misinterpreted as politically motivated stunts.
“These coordinated but independently organized protests reflect genuine grassroots concerns, not partisan scheming. Attempting to isolate or politicize the actions of any single community not only does disservice to their civic rights but also distracts from the broader call for development and equity across the state.
“Furthermore, we reaffirm that freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly are constitutionally guaranteed rights under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. These rights must be protected and not politicized. Citizens must not be vilified for standing up for better living conditions, especially in a democracy that prides itself on inclusion and accountability.
“In light of the above, we strongly caution against the deliberate politicization of community-based activism. This protest was a constructive appeal for attention, not an act of rebellion or a political affront. The participation of community members from varied political, ethnic, and religious backgrounds confirms the non-partisan nature of the demonstration.”
The community appreciated Governor Adeleke for continuing the road project, which was initiated by the last administration.
“We also wish to express our deep appreciation to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Osun State, for magnanimously continuing the Unity Estate Community road project. The community acknowledges this intervention and pledges to cooperate fully with the government to ensure that the contractor executes the project to a standard that reflects the value of funds being invested by the state.”
On the claim by the SSA that the peaceful protest was targeted at Adeleke’s family, the community said, “Furthermore, to correct some erroneous narratives, we reiterate that the peaceful protest was unanimously agreed upon by all the suffering members of our community, as reflected in our community general meeting minutes, and we set up a committee for the peaceful protest, not orchestrated by a few individuals as claimed in the Senior Special Adviser’s (SSA) press release.
“We hereby challenge anybody to come forward with concrete evidence to prove that the peaceful protest is targeting the government or anybody rather than voicing out our pain to the loving government to rescue us as a community from the conduct and inscriptions on the placards of the peaceful protest.”
The community also said, “The purported SSA never led the community to the Ministry of Works but merely joined community members once during one of their several independent visits, just as other concerned residents working at Abeere also did that day.
“This disclaimer is issued to set the record straight and to appeal for restraint in the public narrative. Misinformation, when left unchecked, undermines democratic engagement and fuels unnecessary division.
“We urge political stakeholders, and members of the public to refrain from politicizing legitimate civil action and to focus on constructive dialogue that leads to real solutions for the people of Osun State.
“We hereby encourage public commentators and political actors to report responsibly, uphold the values of truth and integrity, and refrain from sowing discord where unity and progress are needed most.”
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
