Residents of the Ibadan Circular Road corridor, comprising six local government areas, Thursday accused the Oyo State Government of land grabbing, unlawful displacement, and deliberate oppression under the guise of expanding the Ibadan Circular Road project.
This is just as the affected residents, drawn from Akinyele, Ona Ara, Ido, Lagelu, Oluyole, and Egbeda local government areas, also vowed to resist what they described as “reckless abuse of power” and threatened to embark on a mega peaceful protest if the government fails to address their grievances.
The residents in a communiqué issued by Prince Adeniyi Fasoye (Convener) and Isiaq Jimoh (Secretary), and read by Mr. Olutayo Oladosu at the end of a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, accused government officials of surreptitiously marking additional 850 metres of land across several communities under the guise of road expansion.
They alleged that the expansion of the Circular Road project by the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde violated due process and constitutional provisions.
According to the communiqué, the Ibadan Circular Road project, now officially known as the Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja Circular Road, was lawfully initiated in 2005 under the administration of former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, who acquired the land through proper constitutional and legal processes for overriding public interest.
They explained that at the time, “the land owners and the occupants of the demarcated proposed 75 metres (right and left) were consulted” and that “the land was pillared after adequate measurements of 75 metres from the midpoint were taken.”
The residents added that compensation was paid to some landowners during the administration of the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, though the process was not completed.
“The compensation till date has not been completed as there are about eighty million naira yet to be paid to the land owners and occupants as of the time of acquiring the land legally,” the communiquĂ© stated.
The residents expressed outrage that the current administration under Governor Makinde had, without due process, expanded the legally acquired 75 metres on each side to 500 metres, alleging that the move violated constitutional provisions.
The statement read, “It is a shock that led to death and stroke, when the Oyo State Government under the leadership of Governor (Engr.) Oluseyi Makinde announced that the 75 metres both sides (right of way 30m and setback 45m) had been increased to 500 metres both sides without following the constitutional laid down procedures of acquiring land for the overriding public interest.”
The communiqué accused the state government of acting in bad faith, claiming that the additional 425 metres of land were being allocated to private real estate developers.
“We the residents along the Ibadan Circular Road see this as a deliberate oppression, marginalisation and displacement of the poor for the rich, as it has been established that the proposed 425 metres additional to the original 75 metres legally acquired is being allocated to real estate agents,” it stated.
The residents while declaring their total rejection of the move, vowed to resist all forms of “intimidation and forceful displacement” by the government.
The communiqué stressed that the residents were not against the Circular Road project itself but against the injustice and illegality surrounding the new expansion.
“We, the residents on the corridor across the six local governments, are not against the coming to reality of The Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja Circular Road.
“The project is a fantastic initiative that will fast-track the rate of social and economic development of the state. It is a project we are all proud of,” they said.
They, however, described as “false, malicious and far from the truth” government insinuations that their agitation was politically motivated, insisting that, “Our protest is not political; it is about fairness, justice, and the rule of law.”
The residents also condemned what they called an “anti-human and inimical” plan for additional demolitions of homes and properties along the corridor, urging the government to strictly adhere to the governorâs earlier order prohibiting demolition of standing structures.
“The order given by the Governor of the state, His Excellency Engineer Oluseyi Makinde, on âNO DEMOLITIONâ of standing buildings on 1000m set should be religiously adhered to. Areas with scanty buildings should be integrated into the government plan,” they emphasised.
They further revealed that no compensation whatsoever had been paid to any resident on the 1000-metre stretch as claimed in some quarters.
“Contrary to speculation, no single resident on the 1000m corridor has been compensated by the Oyo State Government or her agencies. It is worth mentioning that those that were inadequately compensated were those on the path of the road. No compensation has been collected by residents on the corridor,â the communiquĂ© declared.
The residents also dismissed claims that they built on government-acquired land, saying the current administration was the first to unlawfully place them under acquisition.
“It is conspicuously clear that we, the residents, did not buy acquisition land and we have never been placed on acquisition land by any administration in Oyo State.”
“It is the current administration that has made unlawful action to place us on acquisition without proper constitutional procedure enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution,” they said, adding that the newly proposed 450 metres expansion “is yet to be pillared as we speak.”
The communiquĂ© recalled Governor Makindeâs public pronouncement of September 23, 2024, when he addressed protesting residents.
“The Governor declared publicly that no building standing on the proposed corridor would be demolished and affirmatively added that âA ĂČ nĂ wĂł ilĂ© yĂnâ (We will not demolish your houses).”
“His Excellency also pronounced that 75 metres of path of way would be maintained as regard demolition of standing structures,” the residents recounted.
They, therefore, called on the governor to “fulfil his official order of no further demolition” and convene a roundtable dialogue with adequate representation from all six affected local government areas.
Sounding a final warning, the residents announced their readiness to take to the streets if their demands are ignored.
“Any moment from now, if the Oyo State Government fails to address the issues raised, the residents across the six local governments in question will embark on a mega peaceful protest,” the communiquĂ© stated.
They expressed appreciation to those who have supported their struggle, including traditional rulers, community leaders, and the media.
“We appreciate and thank the Olubadan-in-Council, Honourable Elders of Ibadan, Mogajis, Baales, religious leaders, well-meaning Nigerians, activists and especially the media houses for giving us the platform to air our views despite intimidation from the powers that be,” they added.
Kemi Olaitan
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