Ibadan Residents Erupt in Protest Over Circular Road Land Acquisition Plan
Thousands of residents across Ibadan, the historic capital of Oyo State, have taken to the streets in a dramatic display of opposition to the state government’s proposed expansion of the Ibadan Circular Road corridor. The protests, which have effectively gridlocked key parts of the city, stem from fears that a new plan will seize significantly more land than originally agreed upon.
Roadblocks and Rising Tensions
The situation escalated rapidly as demonstrators blocked several major highways, bringing traffic to a standstill. One of the most critical choke points is Iwo Road, a primary gateway into the city, where all movement has been halted. Another large contingent of protesters has gathered at the entrance to the Agodi Government Secretariat, the seat of state power, brandishing placards with their grievances clearly displayed for officials to see.
A Legacy Project Sparks a Modern Dispute
The heart of the conflict lies in the project’s history. The concept for the Ibadan Circular Road was initially proposed during the tenure of Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, who was then the state governor and is now the Olubadan of Ibadanland. Under his administration, a corridor width of 150 meters was designated for the road’s construction.
However, the current administration under Governor Seyi Makinde is now considering an expansion of this corridor. This potential increase in width is what has triggered widespread alarm, as it would inevitably lead to the acquisition of more residential properties and community lands, directly impacting the livelihoods of countless families.
A Unified Front Across Communities
The protest is not isolated to a single neighborhood. It represents a unified front from communities spanning the Ido, Lagelu, Ona Ara, Akinyele, Oluyole, and Egbeda local government areas. Their demand is simple and unequivocal: the state government must adhere to the original 150-meter width marked during the Ladoja era.
For these residents, the government’s new plan feels like a moving of the goalposts. They argue that the initial land allocation was a carefully considered compromise, and any deviation from it represents a breach of trust and a threat to their homes and heritage. The question on everyone’s mind is a simple one: how much progress must cost the people it is meant to serve?
Source: Daily Post