By Bilesanmi Abayomi
The protest staged by residents of Oworonshoki on the Third Mainland Bridge following the recent demolition of properties in their community has continued to elicit divergent reactions from stakeholders and opinion leaders.
Funmilayo Joseph, Coordinator of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Agboyi-Ketu chapter, lamented being caught in the gridlock caused by the demonstration, describing the situation as “sad.” While acknowledging the grievances of the victims, she argued that dialogue with relevant authorities such as the Ministry of Lands, local government officials, and community associations would have been a more strategic approach than blocking a major highway.
But others disagreed. Ambassador Moyosore Badejo (MOG) insisted that protest remains the only language the government understands. “Until the people take to the streets and make themselves impossible to ignore, their cries will continue to fall on deaf ears,” he said, commending the resilience of the Oworonshoki residents.
Similarly, Oloye Salami Oluwaseun faulted the government’s handling of the demolition and condemned the use of teargas to disperse protesters, describing it as a temporary measure that fails to address underlying grievances. He also urged a clear separation of politics from governance, noting that many technocrats serving in government are not party loyalists but professionals.
Engr. Olusola Emmanuel Adedayo, Publisher of MoschinoBlog, argued that disruption is sometimes the only effective tool to force government action, citing past industrial strikes by ASUU and the Nigeria Labour Congress as examples.
On the other hand, Hon. Bamidele Ajayi described dialogue as a “more advanced and mature” alternative, warning that street protests often expose citizens to health hazards and possible loss of lives.
Offering a middle ground, Omoba Awofeso Rasheed Ololade said while urban development is necessary, it must be pursued with dignity and respect for human rights. He called on government to provide succour for displaced residents to ease their suffering.
The exchanges underscore deep divisions among stakeholders over how best to respond to the demolition crisis — whether through dialogue, protest, or a balance of both approaches.