In Ondo South, rising floodwaters have left homes submerged and many residents forced to leave their communities for safer areas. Particularly hard-hit are Igbokoda and Okitipupa, where the flooding has turned into an urgent crisis demanding swift and decisive action. Oyekan Abiodun, the House of Representatives candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC), has publicly called on the Ondo State Government to step in and address the worsening situation without delay.
Abiodun described the plight of families now living in precarious shelters. He said the crisis has grown far beyond a seasonal problem into a serious disaster. With rising threats of contaminated water and disease outbreaks, the most vulnerable—especially children and the elderly—are at significant risk of harm. The situation is worsening by the day, and without quick action, he warned, the consequences could be dire.
AAC Proposes a Structural Solution
According to Abiodun, the AAC has proposed a coastal protection strategy that draws inspiration from the Amsterdam Plan, an international model known for effectively managing flood risks. He said this approach could serve as a long-term fix for the recurring flooding affecting the region, particularly in places like Ayetoro. He criticized the ruling party for relying solely on short-term drainage and dredging projects, arguing that such measures fail to address the deeper causes of the crisis.
The AAC candidate emphasized that the current floods confirm the need for the flood prevention strategies the party had previously advocated for. He urged the state government to act now to prevent further loss of homes and livelihoods. Immediate priorities include setting up emergency shelters, supplying food and clean water, and ensuring medical care is available to those in need. Without these steps, he argued, the situation will only get worse.
Governor Urged to Lead
Abiodun directly addressed Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, calling on him to lead the response to the crisis. He stressed that the state government must provide the necessary resources that local councils lack, especially in terms of funding and technical expertise. He pointed out that previous efforts at flood management often ended in half-finished or abandoned projects, which he said was unacceptable and left communities exposed to further harm.
While local government leaders have attempted to mitigate the damage, Abiodun said their efforts are insufficient given the scale of the disaster. He called for a unified and well-coordinated response at the state level. This should include a detailed assessment of the damage and a comprehensive emergency aid package. He reiterated the need for permanent structural solutions, not just temporary fixes, to ensure that such a crisis is not repeated in the future.
The AAC candidate described the ongoing flooding in Ondo South as both avoidable and a deep embarrassment for the state. He expressed frustration that communities have been left to suffer without effective measures in place. Abiodun argued that the people of the region deserve better and called for an urgent, robust response from the state government to restore safety and stability to the affected areas.