ABEOKUTA — Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has urged transport unions across the state to stop arbitrary increases in transport fares, warning that unjustified hikes are making life more difficult for residents already facing economic pressures.
Abiodun gave the warning on Thursday at the Ake Palace Pavilion in Abeokuta during a rally where nine transport unions endorsed the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, ahead of the 2027 election.
The governor appealed to transport operators to balance their need to make a living with their responsibility to commuters, insisting that they should not exploit residents through unreasonable fare increases.
“Do not allow them to suffer. Do not increase transport prices arbitrarily,” Abiodun told the union members.
Governor Highlights Infrastructure Investments
Abiodun said his administration had invested in road infrastructure and transport development to create a more favourable operating environment for transport businesses.
He disclosed that the state government had constructed or reconstructed more than 1,700 kilometres of roads across Ogun State.
According to him, the government had also built an airport and implemented a multimodal transport master plan to support movement, commercial activities and economic growth.
The governor argued that these investments should encourage transport operators to contribute to residents’ welfare rather than impose unjustified charges on passengers.
He said the transport sector had benefited from government efforts to improve infrastructure and create opportunities for operators to generate revenue.
Abiodun urged union leaders to communicate the government’s concerns to their members and discourage practices that could worsen the financial burden on commuters.
Nine Unions Endorse Adeola
The rally also witnessed the endorsement of Adeola by nine transport unions operating in Ogun State.
The groups, under the banner of the Transport Alliance for Yayi, included the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Ogun State Park Management Services Limited (OGSPAM), and Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN).
Other participating organisations were the Articulated Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (AMORAN), Riders and Owners of Motorcycle Organisation (ROMO), Tricycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (TORAN), Three Wheelers Operators and Riders Association (TWORA), and Riders and Owners of Tricycle Organisation (ROTO).
The unions said their endorsement reflected their assessment of Adeola’s record and perceived capacity to lead the state.
Tiwalade Akingbade, chairman of the rally’s planning committee and state secretary of RTEAN, described the collective endorsement as historic, saying it was the first time the nine unions had jointly backed a governorship candidate.
Adeola thanked the unions for their support and pledged to build on the development projects undertaken by Abiodun’s administration if elected governor in 2027.
Transport Operators Seek Sector Improvements
National President of ACOMORAN, Shamsudeen Apelogun, described transport operators as important stakeholders in Ogun State’s economy because of their role in moving people and supporting commercial activities.
He called for continued investment in roads and transport infrastructure, arguing that an efficient transport system could stimulate economic activity across the state.
Apelogun also cautioned against using transport unions to deepen political divisions. He urged members to examine candidates’ records and qualifications before making electoral decisions.
Fare Increases Remain a Concern
The governor’s warning comes amid continuing concerns over the cost of transportation and the pressure rising fuel prices place on passengers and commercial transport operators.
Transport fares depend on several factors, including fuel prices, distance, vehicle maintenance and operating costs. However, arbitrary increases can place additional pressure on workers, traders, students and other commuters who rely on public transport.
Abiodun’s appeal places responsibility on union leaders to discourage unreasonable charges while acknowledging the economic challenges facing their members.
Whether the warning will translate into more stable fares will depend on how transport unions communicate and enforce the governor’s request across motor parks and routes throughout Ogun State.
