Some farmers in Ondo State have kicked against the move by the state government to lease their land to a Chinese company.
The farmers from no fewer than 24 communities within the state disclosed that the decision by the state government would jeopardise their livelihoods if the government refused to rescind its decision.
While protesting against the development, the affected farmers stated that they were infuriated upon seeing numerous bulldozers clearing away their cocoa farms in the area.
They pleaded with the government to reconsider the decision, emphasising the importance of their land for the production of cocoa, palm oil, cashew, and other agricultural products.
The affected agrarian communities include Laosho, Ulugba, Adejori, Kabiyesi, Lafa, Oloruntedo, Obadore Yinka, Keseomi, Lomofe, Gbekelu, Langbodo, Abuja, Lopaun, Sahara, Aba Cocoa, Topeu, Bolorunduro, Iyolope, and Yemisi, among others.
The protesters who barricaded the Ondo-Ore expressway in Ondo town displayed placards with various inscriptions to inform the government of their grievances. The protest caused a heavy traffic gridlock on the road as travellers were delayed for hours.
Some of the inscriptions on the placards read, “Let the Farmers Breathe,” “No Farmers, No Nation,” “We are not Slaves,” and “Don’t Turn Us to Kidnappers and Bandits,’ among others.
Speaking at the palace of the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo, the former Secretary of Ondo West Local Council, Alhaji Oluwole Bashiru, appealed to the Governor Aiyedatiwa-led administration to correct the wrongs perpetrated by the past administration.
On his part, Oba Kiladejo urged the farmers to continue to tread the path of peace for the issue to be properly addressed.
Ondo farmers protest alleged destruction of farms by Chinese company