By Ado Oyeyemi
Tension erupted in parts of Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Wednesday as commercial motorcycle operators clashed with ticket sellers over alleged multiple levies.
The confrontation reportedly occurred at different points across the metropolis after some riders resisted the collection of another levy, saying they had already paid similar charges earlier.
The riders alleged that revenue collectors were demanding N7,000 for an emblem said to have been introduced by the Akure South Local Government Area.
They also accused the council chairman, Gbenga Fasua, of approving the collection, an allegation he firmly denied.
The development disrupted commercial motorcycle operations in some parts of the city, with several riders abandoning their routes and joining protests against what they described as repeated and unexplained payments.
One of the riders, Jimoh Akindele, alleged that enforcement agents had been deployed to strategic locations to compel operators to obtain the new emblem.
He described the development as double taxation, saying riders were being made to pay different people for similar tickets.
“We were told the money is for Akure South Local Government and not for the state government. The state government is not even aware. We cannot continue like this. Enough is enough,” Akindele said.
Another rider, who identified himself as Adekunle, said the operators were not against paying legitimate government revenue but wanted transparency in the collection process.
He alleged that some riders paid in the morning, only to encounter another group of collectors demanding additional tickets later in the day.
Adekunle further alleged that the council chairman was using the local security outfit, Tiger Base, to intimidate riders and called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to intervene before the dispute escalated.
But Fasua denied authorising the sale of the emblem, insisting that neither he nor the Akure South Local Government had approved the collection.
The chairman said he became aware of the controversy after meeting protesting riders near the Government Office.
According to him, the operators complained that they had already obtained stickers earlier in the year and were being asked to purchase another one.
Fasua said he subsequently visited other locations where the alleged collection was taking place and directed that the sales be suspended pending clarification from the state government.
He stressed that the appearance of the Akure South Local Government name on the emblem did not mean it was issued by the council.
“I know nothing about it, and not even a dime has come to the local government,” Fasua said.
The chairman also questioned why funds collected with the council’s name were not being remitted to the local government and urged the riders and other parties involved to remain calm.
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Fasua appealed against any protest or action that could threaten the peace in Akure, saying the city was known for its peaceful atmosphere.
