There is tension in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital following the inability of the students of the Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti and commercial drivers to reach amicable resolutions on transportation fare.
The commercial drivers had increased the fare from two hundred to four hundred owing to the fuel scarcity but such did not go well with Students.
The controversy started on Tuesday, when the Akoto drivers refused to carry passengers and blocked the the school Main gate saying they will now charge 400 naira if the students insist on the 3-3-2 sitting formation or rather 4-4-2 if they want the price to be #300.
The Akoto drivers while lamenting said the situation is because there is fuel scarcity in the state and they queue for long hours at the fuel station only to still buy it for about #500 per litre.
Report says the commercial drivers were seen assaulting students and drivers who failed to comply with the new price of four hundred Naira.
All efforts to prevail on the drivers by the student yielded no result, hence the students took to the street on Wednesday to protest.
The protesters were led by the Student Union Government, SUG President, Ogunsanya Dotun Victor, popularly known as O’Dotman and his Executives who ordered the security of the school to lock all school gates.
In addition, the dual carriage way in front of the school was barricaded to show their grievances.
According to Mr. Dotun, the reason for the Union’s protest was as a result of the price change from #200 to #400.
Lecturers were not left out of the situation as they were not given access to make their way into the school for lectures.
A few lecturers and security personnel were seen persuading the SUG President, to meet with the school management and the head of the Akoto body, to settle this issue amicably.
After being Adressed by the Deputy Vice Chancellor and Chief Security officer, three days lecture free day has been declared and there will be provision of buses that will convey students.
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