By Ademola Ade
Tension rose in Ekiti State on Tuesday as aggrieved members of the Okada Riders Association staged a peaceful protest in Ado-Ekiti, rejecting the proposed third-term reappointment of the association’s chairman, Sunday Asaolu, and other members of the executive.
The protesters, numbering about 50 and drawn from the six branches of the association across the state, called for strict adherence to the association’s constitution and a transparent process for electing a new executive.
Carrying placards with inscriptions including, “Power must rotate now, Kunle must go!”, “No repeat, no third term,” “Eight years is enough,” and “No third-term extension for Asaolu,” the protesters demanded an end to what they described as prolonged leadership of the association.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Adeoyin Onikokoro alleged that Asaolu had completed the constitutionally stipulated two terms and had spent an additional year in office.
He appealed to the Board of Trustees, BoT, to uphold the constitution and reject any attempt to return the outgoing chairman and other executive members for a third term.
The protesters also alleged that members had faced harassment at various levels, while accusing the present leadership of failing to adequately address challenges confronting commercial motorcycle operators in the state.
Also speaking, a stakeholder in the association, Ifeoluwa Adegboyewa, said the welfare of members had not received adequate attention under the present leadership.
She opposed the proposed reappointment of the outgoing chairman and executive members, urging the association to adopt a leadership arrangement that would prioritise the welfare of riders.
Another member, Adefemi Adeyemi, appealed to the Board of Trustees to take charge of the leadership transition process, citing its experience and capacity to provide direction for the association.
The protesters demanded strict compliance with the association’s constitution and a transparent leadership process capable of protecting the interests of members.
When contacted, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Okada Riders Association in Ekiti State, Akorede Adegboyega, said the process of constituting a new executive for the association was ongoing.
