A protest rocked Ado-Ekiti on Thursday as members of the Motorcycle Riders Association kicked against ticket sales on public holidays and weekends.
The peaceful protest started at about 8:10 am.
FIJ learned that commercial motorcyclists are not meant to be ticketed on public holidays. Earlier, the government declared Wednesday and Thursday a public holiday in celebration of Eid-Adha, but the motorcyclists were still made to pay for tickets.
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FIJ also learned that the riders have to buy two tickets every day. One of the tickets, which belongs to the state government, costs N300, while the local government ticket is for N250.
Moyinoluwa Emmanuel, a resident who was at the scene, told FIJ that the motorcyclists were angry as a result of this, hence the protest to register their displeasure.
According to the eyewitness, the protesters moved from Fajuyi Park to Ajilosun axis, chanting “no more association”.
“They said there should be no ticketing on public holidays, Saturdays and Sundays, but the association went against her own rules by forcing her members to buy tickets both on these days,” he said.
“They bought tickets yesterday, which was a public holiday. When the association leaders now brought tickets again today, it made the riders angry and come out in large numbers to protest it.
“They kept chanting ‘no more association’, but it was a peaceful one.”
Leaders of the Okada riders’ association in the state could not be reached for comments, as there was no response when FIJ called a number obtained online.
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