Cleric threatens to ‘fix’ road, govt dismisses drama

A cleric in Ondo State, Prophet Samson Oluwamodede, has stirred controversy after issuing an ultimatum to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa over the ongoing construction of the Oke-Aro/Idanre Road in Akure, describing it as a “death trap.”

Oluwamodede, who heads the Prayer Centre of God Worldwide, in a viral video, accused the government of neglect and threatened to personally mobilise equipment to repair the road if nothing was done before Sunday.

He claimed the road had become a daily source of accidents and deaths, especially at Owe-Akala, Abiodun and Idanre Garage axis, warning that he would not hesitate to intervene so the governor “would not be embarrassed.”

But government sources have described the prophet’s outburst as “attention-seeking theatrics,” pointing out that the dual carriageway project was flagged off just six months ago and is already progressing steadily.

Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Strategic Communication, Allen Sowore, said the administration would not be distracted by “emotional outbursts designed to whip up sentiments.”

“It is disheartening to see torrents of criticism over a project that is very much alive. Rome was not built in a day. The current discomfort is temporary; the benefits will last for decades,” Sowore said.

Observers note that Oluwamodede’s threat to hire a grader smacks of grandstanding, as road construction requires planning, funding and technical input beyond surface dressing.