Abiodun Urges Ogun Transport Unions To Halt Arbitrary Fare Hikes
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has urged transport unions and operators across the state to desist from arbitrary increases in transport fares, warning that the practice places additional financial burdens on residents.
Abiodun made the appeal on Thursday at Ake, Abeokuta, during an event where nine transport unions under the aegis of the Transport Unions Alliance for Yayi endorsed the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The governor called on transport operators to prioritise the welfare of commuters and ensure that fares remain affordable, noting that his administration had invested significantly in road infrastructure and other transportation projects to improve the operating environment for the sector.
According to him, the state government has constructed or reconstructed more than 1,700 kilometres of roads, built an airport and implemented a multimodal transport master plan to enhance transportation and economic activities across Ogun State.
Abiodun said the investments were intended not only to create opportunities for transport operators to generate revenue but also to improve the livelihoods of residents.
“Having done all this for you, we not only expect you to make money from it, but also to use your sector for the benefit of our citizens. Do not allow them to suffer. Do not increase transport prices arbitrarily,” the governor said.
He added that the government had provided an enabling environment for transport businesses to thrive and expected operators to reciprocate by conducting their activities in ways that benefited the public.
The nine unions involved in the endorsement include the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Ogun State Park Management Services Limited and Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN).
Others are the Articulated Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria, Riders and Owners of Motorcycle Organisation, Tricycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria, Three Wheelers Operators and Riders Association, and Riders and Owners of Tricycle Organisation.
Abiodun described the collective endorsement of Adeola as unprecedented, saying it demonstrated unity among transport unions and reflected what he called the stability and continuity of governance in the state.
He said the development could strengthen investor confidence and support the state’s socioeconomic growth.
“This speaks to continuity. This speaks to socio-economic development. This speaks to investor confidence because investors are looking at Ogun State and they are saying nothing will change,” he said.
Speaking at the event, the chairman of the planning committee and RTEAN State Secretary, Aare Tiwalade Akingbade, said the endorsement was the first time transport unions in Ogun State had collectively backed a governorship candidate.
Akingbade said the unions’ decision was based on Adeola’s record and perceived capacity to sustain development rather than ethnic or sectional considerations.
He added that the nine union chairmen had signed the endorsement card presented to the APC candidate, expressing confidence in his ability to build on the achievements of the current administration.
The unions described the theme of the gathering, “Consolidation of Proven Capacity and Competence,” as a reflection of their assessment of Adeola’s suitability for the position.
In his response, Adeola pledged to sustain the state’s development trajectory if elected governor in 2027, promising further growth and improved infrastructure.
He said his administration would consolidate on the achievements of Abiodun’s government, adding that Ogun State deserved leadership focused on development and the public interest.
Adeola also thanked the transport unions for their support, describing the endorsement as a demonstration of their desire for continuity.
Similarly, ACOMORAN National President, Alhaji Shamsudeen Apelogun, said transport unions remained important stakeholders in Ogun State because of their contribution to economic activities and their numerical strength.
Apelogun noted that the organised nature of the unions gave them the capacity to influence political outcomes, urging members to assess the records and antecedents of candidates before deciding whom to support.
He, however, cautioned against using transport unions as instruments of political division, stressing the need for members to make informed choices based on candidates’ competence and performance.
The ACOMORAN president also called for sustained government attention to road infrastructure and transportation, noting that an efficient transport system was essential for economic growth and improved living standards across the state.
