Hundreds of commuters and motorists faced significant delays on the Sango-Eleyele Road in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday as students of the Polytechnic, Ibadan, staged a massive protest.
The demonstration was in response to Governor Seyi Makinde’s decision to rename the institution after the late Governor Victor Omololu Olunloyo.
In addition to blocking the busy road, students also barricaded the entrance gates of the institution, preventing some staff members from entering the premises.
Commuters were forced to disembark from the vehicles to trek long distances as a result of the traffic situation created by the protest.
The placard-carrying students rejected the idea of name change for the 55-year-old institution established by the military administration for the defunct Western State.
Four satellite campuses were created in 1987 in Eruwa and Saki still in Oyo State as well as in Iree, and Esa-Oke now in Osun State.
Persecondnews recalls that Makinde had recently renamed the institution after Olunloyo as part of efforts to immortalize him.
Olunloyo, who was the first Ibadan indigene to serve as governor of the old Oyo State, held office from October to December 1983.
In response to the blockage, the Oyo State Road Transport Management Agency(OYTMA) issued a statement, via its Executive Chairman, retired Maj. Adekoya, advising commuters to use alternative routes pending the lifting of the roadblock.
He wrote: “The general public are hereby informed of an ongoing student protest at The Polytechnic Ibadan, main Gate, the road in front of the school gate has been temporarily blocked.
“Motorists heading towards Eleyele, Apete, Ijokodo, and nearby areas axis from Sango and vice visa are advised to take alternative routes through Dugbe, Mokola or Ajibode to avoid delays and unnecessary confrontation.
“We appeal to all road users to remain calm, cooperate with traffic officers, and follow all traffic diversion signs. Thank you for your understanding.”
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