On Monday, protesters continued to reject the 500-metre expansion for the circular road project in Ibadan, despite assurances from Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde that houses will not be demolished within the proposed corridor.

Makinde made this promise at the Oyo State Secretariat, where protesters gathered for the sixth consecutive day to express their frustration over the planned expansion, which they believe threatens their homes and livelihoods.

Protesters Gathered at Secretariat Ibadan

During his address, the governor traced the project’s history back to the Lamidi Adesina administration, explaining that many structures in the affected areas were built on land already earmarked for the road project. According to Makinde, some of the houses were constructed under the assumption that the project would never materialise.

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Protesters Gathered at Secretariat Ibadan

Makinde also admitted that the marking of houses for demolition was a mistake.

“When I returned from a one-month holiday, I met people claiming their homes were marked for demolition. I also heard rumours that a rail line would pass through the area, but these are false. The original plan, validated by a gazette, dates back to 2019 under Governor Ajimobi,” he said on Monday.

“The officials marking houses should not have done so, and those claiming that over 400,000 houses are in the corridor are lying. I also want to assure you that none of the houses standing in the corridor will be demolished.”

Despite these reassurances, the protesters remain unconvinced. They argue that the 500-metre expansion deviates from the original plan and will result in the loss of their properties.

Residents have urged the government to revert to the original design, which they claimed was more modest.

Protesters Gathered at Secretariat Ibadan

Saheed Onasanjo, a resident in the area, told FIJ that while the community was aware of the road project and compensation plans, the sudden increase in the road’s dimensions has unsettled them.

“The original plan was 75 metres on both sides, but it has now been expanded to 500 metres. They’ve already started issuing demolition notices. Imagine seeing that on a house you’ve spent over six years building,” Onasanjo said.

Protesters Gathered at Secretariat Ibadan

Another protester who simply identified as Aduke echoed Onasanjo’s concerns. “We support road development, but not at the expense of our homes. Many of us acquired our properties legally,” she said on Monday.

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The protest had started on Tuesday and was set to last for as long as possible, FIJ gathered. Protesters said they would continue until the governor addressed the root cause of the protest.

The residents’ anger stems from the state government’s sudden decision to expand the ongoing road project far beyond what they initially understood.

Now, they fear the government may sacrifice their houses.

The state government had started to clear the ground for the circular road construction in Ibadan with a dimension that spanned 500 metres across dimensions, according to the protest leaders. The circular road extends as far as local government areas like Akinyele, Egbeda, Lagelu, Ona-ara, Oluyole and Ido.
The post Ibadan Residents Protest 500-Metre Corridor Expansion, Distrust Makinde’s ‘No Demolition’ Promise appeared first on Foundation For Investigative Journalism.