How I lost my vehicle to Oyo LG election —Transporter

FOR Oladimeji Saaheed, a commercial bus operator, the last four months have been traumatic as he lost his source of income and the hope of getting restoration continues to dim by the day. This he said has caused untold hardship for him and his family as he had been unable to meet his needs.

Speaking on his predicament, Oladimeji explained that he is a transporter of note operates a Mazda bus with registration number; FAJ 459AH, belonging to another man identified as Mr Hammed Olalekan.

He explained that the vehicle was registered for plying Lagos and Ibadan at the Portugal Park, World Oil Filling Station, Iwo Road under the leadership of Mr Suraju Aka Suri and Mr Sarafa Amala, adding that he was doing his job without issues until May 22, 2021

According to him, on the said May 22, 2021, the leadership of the park ordered him to use his vehicle to transport  some people who he said were members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State to one of the venues of election in Eruwa, Ibarapa Local Government Area of the State.

He said he carried out the instruction given by his superiors and embarked on the journey which was the beginning of his woes. Oladimeji explained that on their way to the election venue, they were attacked by hoodlums in Ibarapa, who set the vehicle ablaze.

He said, after the incident, the speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Debo Ogundoyin met with him and others and promised to replace the vehicle. He said when the speaker saw him, he was sympathetic to his cause and asked that he should be compensated but this promise has not materialized despite information that funds have been released for this purpose.

According to Oladimeji, after all efforts failed to get the Disciplinary Committee of the Oyo Motor Park Manager to rise up to his issue since he did not go on his own accord for the assignment,  he had through his legal representative, Akeem Abdulsalam Esq. written series of letters without to the speaker and chairman of the committee without success.

In his letter to the speaker on behalf of his client, Abdulsalam stated that, “Our client informed us that upon seeing his condition, your honourable directed Mr Suraju Aka Suri and Mr Sarafa Amala to bring him before your humble self so that he can be compensated for the loss.”

He said they were however surprised that till date, they two leaders have refused to take him to the speaker as agreed, adding that a reliable source had told them that the speaker has acceded to Oladimeji’s request and has released fund to the management of the park for onward payment to him, adding that nothing has been paid to him contrary to the speaker’s humane directive.

He said this is the reason they wrote a letter to the Chairman, Disciplinary Committee, Oyo Motor Park Manager to ask for update and request the release compensation but till date, no positive response has been received and this has affected his livelihood, finances and family life.

He added that this has also affected the owner of the vehicle who also has no source of income again and is now also facing lots of hardships.

He consequently appealed to the speaker to use his good office to invite and compensate Oladimeji as the speaker promised in line with his efforts to make sure that justice is always better served to the good people of Oyo state.

“We demand that you use your good office to invite and compensate our client as promised in line with your efforts to make sure that justice is always better served to the good people of Oyo state and in which the people of Oyo State are always proud and which we thank God for that we have you as a leader.

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