Tensions are mounting in Oyo State as residents and affected stakeholders along the proposed 1,000-metre Ibadan Circular Road corridor have strongly condemned recent remarks made by Governor Seyi Makinde during a Fresh FM interview.
According to the group, the Governor’s statements failed to provide any convincing resolution to grievances that have lingered for over two years.
In a press statement jointly signed by Azeez Abass Olaide, Secretary of the Ibadan Circular Road Residents and Affected Stakeholders, the community maintained that its stance remains unequivocal. The residents are demanding a strict adherence to the original 75-metre right-of-way alignment on both sides of the road, alongside fair and adequate property compensation for all legitimate landowners impacted within that boundary.
Ibadan Circular Road Crisis: Demands for Transparency and Accountability
Central to the escalating Ibadan Circular Road crisis is the demand for financial accountability regarding the publicly discussed ₦6.5 billion compensation provision. Stakeholders are insisting on a clear, transparent breakdown of how these funds are being handled.
Furthermore, the community has raised serious concerns regarding an apparent contradiction surrounding the status of the controversial 500-metre section. They are calling on the state government to provide an immediate and unambiguous explanation to put public speculation to rest.
Political Warning and Upcoming Mobilisation
With the gubernatorial campaign season fast approaching, the association issued a strict warning against weaponising their plight for political gains. They cautioned that if Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration fails to honour its commitments or acts contrary to their legitimate demands, they will mobilize for a 30-day mega peaceful rally to demand justice, accountability, and absolute respect for property rights.
In addition to the planned street demonstrations, the residents revealed plans to exercise their democratic rights by organizing massively against all ruling-party candidates in the forthcoming elections. “Our votes will reflect our grievances,” the statement noted, adding that no political platform should mistake their patience for weakness.
As the controversy deepens, the leadership urges the general public to disregard misleading narratives attempting to distort their core message. The residents remain steadfast in their position: justice, transparency, and fair property compensation are non-negotiable prerequisites to averting a massive statewide mobilisation.
