Residents of Oyo State and members of the African Action Congress (AAC) on Monday took to the streets of Ibadan to protest what they described as Governor Seyi Makinde’s fresh attempt to grab more lands under the guise of expanding the Ibadan Circular Road project.
The demonstrators, carrying placards and chanting anti-government songs, accused Makinde of plotting to seize an additional 500 metres of land on both sides of the corridor, in addition to the 150 metres previously taken.
One of the protesters told SaharaReporters:
“The reason why people are out this morning is that Makinde is planning to grab more 500 metres on the corridor. To add to the initial 150 metres he had initially grabbed. So he is proposing another 500 metres left and right.
“There is no part in the world that a corridor of a secular road is up to that metre. This is why people are saying no. The 150 metre he initially grabbed is okay.”
Another protester accused the governor of using the project as a cover to benefit his allies.
“He initially acquired 150m and now he wants 500m just to grab more lands and sell for his cronies. Makinde is grabbing more 500m left and right for the circular road,” the protester said.
The protesters called on the state government to halt the proposed expansion immediately, insisting that the move would displace hundreds of families and destroy farmlands already affected by the first phase of the project.
AAC leaders at the protest also vowed to resist what they termed “land grabbing in the name of development,” demanding transparency and respect for community rights.
Recall that the Oyo State chapter of the African Action Congress (AAC) earlier accused Governor Seyi Makinde of a “massive and deceitful land-grabbing campaign” targeting residents along the Ibadan Circular Road, threatening to shut down the state for seven days in protest.
In a statement signed by the party’s state chairman, Kayode Babayomi David, the AAC had said it was “standing in solidarity with all victims of Makinde’s land-grabbing spree,” particularly residents whose homes have been marked for demolition under the pretext of corridor expansion.
“We, the African Action Congress (AAC), Oyo State chapter, stand in solidarity with the victims of Makinde’s land-grabbing spree, particularly the residents along the Ibadan Circular Road. We are aware of the PDP-led government’s ulterior motives in seizing more land under the pretense of corridor extension and selling it to their cronies and associates,” the party said.
The AAC accused the Makinde-led administration of betraying public trust by allegedly selling seized lands to political allies while displacing poor homeowners.
“Makinde initially claimed he wouldn’t seize more than 150 meters and assured that no houses would be demolished,” the party said.
“However, months later, he backtracked and claimed he needed an additional 500 meters for the corridors. This deceitful act is despicable, and we will not allow him to get away with it.”
The opposition party had vowed to mobilise residents, civil society groups, and traders to resist the demolitions and “occupy Ibadan” until the government abandons the plan.