‘You violated terms of land agreement’, Ondo Govt dismisses Cocoa Farmers’ protest

The Ondo State Government has responded to recent reports of a protest by cocoa farmers over land disputes within forest reserves, describing the claims as misleading and an attempt to discredit ongoing land reform initiatives.

In a press statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan, the government insisted that many of the allegations levelled against its officials were either emotionally charged or outright falsehoods designed to obstruct efforts to regulate land use within degraded forest reserves.

According to the statement, a significant number of the protesting farmers occupying parts of the Oluwa Forest Reserve (OA3A) had violated terms of land agreements and encroached into unauthorised areas, thus raising environmental and security concerns.

“The Ondo State Government reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the welfare of genuine farmers,” the statement read, “but illegal occupation and non-compliance with agreed land use policies will not be condoned.”

Addressing claims that government officials acted in contempt of court orders, the state maintained that all actions had followed due legal processes, including legal counsel, verified surveys, and official notifications.

The statement also cleared the air on the involvement of Hon. Rotimi Wemimo Akinsola, the Governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Agribusiness, whose name has been linked to land grabbing allegations. It described such claims as politically motivated and without basis, affirming that his role was limited to overseeing large-scale agribusiness investments expected to drive employment and revenue generation.

Similarly, Mr Ayo Sotinrin, Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture, was absolved of any wrongdoing. The government described allegations against him and SAO Agro-Allied Services—a firm operating under a Public-Private Partnership approved since 2021—as malicious and unfounded.

Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, according to the release, reaffirmed that he had never promised support to illegal occupants of government lands and forest reserves. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to lawful, inclusive agricultural development and expressed openness to dialogue.

“The government is currently investigating to identify and support genuine farmers while separating them from speculators and unlawful occupants,” the statement added.

The state government also urged members of the media to seek accurate information and avoid publishing one-sided or distorted reports, emphasising its commitment to transparency, environmental sustainability, and the agricultural sector’s growth.