The Coalition of Ilaje Ravaged Coastal Communities has threatened to withdraw electoral support from politicians who fail to take concrete steps to address ocean surges threatening lives, homes and livelihoods in coastal communities of Ondo State.
The coalition, in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Akingboye Thompson, declared, “No Shoreline Protection, No Votes,” accusing politicians of making repeated promises to protect affected communities during election campaigns without delivering lasting solutions after securing office.
The group said ocean surges had destroyed homes, schools, churches, fishing boats and nets, leaving residents struggling to protect their livelihoods and ancestral lands from the advancing sea.
It lamented that families who had spent decades building their lives were watching their properties disappear, while children’s education and the livelihoods of fishing communities remained under threat.
According to the coalition, politicians routinely visit affected communities during electioneering, express sympathy, take photographs with residents and promise shoreline protection in exchange for electoral support.
However, it alleged that such commitments were often abandoned after elections, leaving residents to contend with continued coastal destruction and unanswered appeals for government intervention.
“Our lives cannot continue to be reduced to campaign promises and election-day votes. We have endured years of destruction and neglect, and our patience must not be mistaken for an acceptance of our condition,” the statement said.
The coalition called on political parties, governorship candidates, elected representatives and relevant government authorities to prioritise shoreline protection and implement sustainable measures to safeguard coastal communities.
It also demanded transparency in the planning, funding and implementation of shoreline protection projects, insisting that residents deserved clear information about proposed interventions, timelines and progress.
The group said candidates seeking the support of Ilaje residents should demonstrate a genuine commitment to addressing the coastal crisis rather than relying on campaign promises.
It urged residents to remain united in demanding accountability and to assess political candidates based on their commitment to protecting lives, property and livelihoods.
“The ocean continues to advance, and time is running out for many of our communities. Every delay puts more homes, livelihoods and lives at risk,” the coalition said.
It reiterated its position, warning politicians against using the plight of coastal residents as a campaign tool without taking concrete action to address the problem.
“No more promises without action. No more election campaigns built on our suffering. If politicians cannot demonstrate a genuine commitment to protecting our land and securing our future, they should not expect our votes,” the statement added.
