Scores of residents from Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, staged a peaceful protest on Monday at the entrance of the Oyo State Government Secretariat, expressing strong opposition to the planned extension of land already marked for the construction of the Circular Road.
The controversial Circular Road project has a complex history dating back to 2003-2007 when the administration of former Governor Rasidi Ladoja initially marked lands for its construction. The project remained unexecuted during late Adebayo Alao-Akala's tenure but was eventually initiated by the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi during his administration from 2011 to 2019.
The protesters, predominantly from Akinyele Local Government Area, carried placards with messages such as "150 meters is enough," "150 metres is enough for Circular Road," and "Our people are dying on a daily basis." Their primary demand was for the current state government to maintain the original 150-meter demarcation without further extension.
Speaking on behalf of the demonstrators, Ismail Qamardeen Abimbola highlighted that residents across numerous communities in the local government area are increasingly anxious about the planned extension.
"We are here to appeal to the government to consider us on the issue of the corridor they want to embark upon," Abimbola stated. "I am from Akinyele Local Government Area. Many villages and communities are involved, these communities include Solalu, Alagbede, Olukitibi, Akinwande, Akinlawon, Omilabu, Aba Odo, Aba Ido, Ido Omo, Ori Oke, Oke Ola, Olowoogbo, Olohungba, Ade Owu, Asaaju and many villages."
He further emphasized the emotional and psychological toll the situation has taken on affected residents. "Our prayer is that the government should consider us, they should not take beyond the already marked areas because many people have died while alive already on the previous 150 meters they have already marked. It is too much. We are here to appeal to the state government."
The protest highlights the ongoing tension between urban development initiatives and the welfare of local communities in rapidly expanding Nigerian cities. The Circular Road project, while potentially beneficial for Ibadan's transportation infrastructure, continues to raise concerns about displacement and livelihood disruption among affected residents.
As of the time of reporting, the Oyo State government has not issued an official response to the protesters' demands.
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