In a dramatic showdown on Wednesday, commercial drivers of the beloved “korope” minibuses took to the streets in a fierce protest along the Ajiwe axis leading to Victoria Garden City (VGC) in Ajah, Lagos. The drivers are facing an ultimatum: abandon their trusted vehicles in favor of newly introduced buses allegedly linked to Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu.
The protest unfolded in a sea of frustration as drivers voiced their outrage over being told they must stop operating their korope buses entirely. Instead, they were instructed to transition to a fresh fleet of vehicles purportedly championed by interests connected to the president’s son. The outcry was palpable, creating a traffic nightmare that left frustrated commuters in a standstill.
Eyewitness accounts painted a picture of a tense atmosphere. Drivers described the directive as harsh and unjust, particularly for those who had invested years and hard-earned money into their current vehicles. “It’s completely unfair,” lamented one driver. “I’ve paid off my bus. Why should I be forced to give it up and buy another?”
Witnesses reported that the situation escalated when drivers were told they could no longer use their existing korope buses under any circumstances. “They didn’t just stop us from certain routes; they told us to stop working altogether,” shared an eyewitness. “It’s like they want to erase our livelihoods.”
Although the officials behind the new buses have not been named, speculation among the drivers quickly pointed to Seyi Tinubu as the mastermind behind the change. “They didn’t say his name directly, but we all know,” one frustrated driver explained. “We’ve been told these new buses are linked to him, and it’s just not right.”
As the protest intensified, the drivers rallied together, determined not to let this perceived injustice slide. Many had structured their lives around their korope vehicles, and the thought of having to start over was unbearable. “I’ve nearly finished paying for my bus,” another operator added, his voice thick with emotion. “To ask me to abandon it now makes no sense. It feels exploitative.”
With tensions soaring, the protestors took to the streets, effectively bringing the Ajiwe–VGC corridor to a grinding halt. “The entire route was blocked,” a witness reported. “No one could move. It was a complete shutdown.”
As the morning wore on, the lines between commercial and private transport vanished amidst the sea of protestors, who remained obstinate in their demand for justice. As of now, the Lagos State authorities and Seyi Tinubu have yet to respond to the rising unrest, but the drivers—unwavering and united—are resolved to stay put until their voices are heard.