Yoruba Group Demands South-West Transport Reform Over Alleged ₦50bn Monthly Extortion

IBADAN — A prominent pan-Yoruba group, the Alliance of Yoruba Democratic Movements (AYDM), has urgently called on South-West governors to completely overhaul the region’s public and private transport sectors, revealing that the zone loses nearly ₦50 billion every month to illegal transport cartels.

In a press statement signed by General Secretary Popoola Ajayi, the group described the current transport system across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti states as “outdated and primitive.”

AYDM noted that while the South-West transport sector generates an estimated ₦1 billion daily, deep-seated corruption, systemic lack of transparency, and aggressive extortion by union syndicates continue to choke its economic potential.

According to the group, commercial drivers are constantly subjected to multiple, unauthorized, and arbitrary charges at motor parks, garages, bus stops, and along major highways.

AYDM warned that these layers of extortion are directly driving up the cost of public transportation, with the financial burden passed down to commuters, traders, and everyday citizens.

“The cumulative burden of daily levies contributes significantly to the cost of public transportation,” the statement read.

“These costs are inevitably reflected in the prices of food, agricultural produce, and other essential goods and services.”

The group emphasized that recent federal interventions designed to cushion economic hardship—including discounted fuel initiatives rolled out by the Ministry of Finance—will ultimately fail at the grassroots if state governors do not act.

AYDM argued that reducing fuel prices alone can not lower transportation costs if transport unions are allowed to absorb the savings through coercive collections.

While clarifying that it respects the constitutional right of transport workers to organize into legitimate welfare associations, AYDM insisted that unions must be completely removed from enforcing fees and controlling public spaces.

The group called on the six South-West governors to take coordinated action by publishing an official schedule of approved transport fees, restoring public agency control over state motor parks, and prosecuting anyone using intimidation or violence to collect illegal taxes.