Thousands of residents affected by the Ibadan Circular Road Corridor project on Monday took to the streets in protest against the proposed extension of the corridor by the Oyo State Government.
The demonstrators, wielding placards and banners with inscriptions such as “Respect Ladoja’s Plan” and “Makinde, Don’t Destroy Our Homes,” converged at the Ibadan–Ife Road around 10 a.m., obstructing vehicular movement and leaving motorists stranded for hours.
The peaceful protest, which later spread to major routes including Idi-Ape and Agodi, culminated at the State Secretariat where security operatives were stationed to prevent a breakdown of order. Business activities at the secretariat were briefly disrupted as entry was restricted during the demonstration.
One of the protesters, Mr. Akeem Olaiya, explained that the group’s demand was simple — that the state government should respect the original 150-metre corridor marked for the road during the administration of former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, now the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
“We are peace-loving citizens. What we are asking for is fairness. The 150-metre space approved by Ladoja should be maintained. Any attempt to expand it will destroy homes and displace communities,” Olaiya said.
The group’s coordinator, Mr. Adeniyi Fasoye, dismissed insinuations that the rally had political undertones, insisting that no politician was behind it.
“This is not a politically motivated protest. We are simply appealing to Governor Seyi Makinde to reconsider this extension. Over 100 communities across seven local governments will be affected if the corridor is widened,” Fasoye stated.
The Ibadan Circular Road project, conceived during Ladoja’s tenure, has faced several delays, partly due to political and contractual challenges following his impeachment in 2006. The project was designed to ease traffic flow and open up new economic corridors across the state capital.
Residents, however, fear that the new plan, which reportedly increases the right-of-way beyond the initial 150 metres, would lead to massive demolitions and loss of ancestral lands across communities in Ido, Lagelu, Ona Ara, Akinyele, Oluyole, and Egbeda Local Government Areas.q
