Speaking on Tuesday during the commissioning of the Ibadan Central Bus Terminal, the governor dismissed the protesters’ demonstrations as politically motivated, claiming they were being funded to stir public sympathy.
“The protest could have entered its third day if they were not getting money from somewhere,” Makinde said, adding that his administration remained committed to completing the Ibadan Circular Road — one of the state’s biggest infrastructure projects.
He stated that while he would not engage protesters on the highway, he planned to meet directly with verified landowners. “I will not go to the road to address the protesters. I will come and see the real owners of the land at the Circular Road,” he said.
The protest erupted earlier in the week when residents living along sections of the 110-kilometre Ibadan Circular Road expressed outrage over ongoing demolitions allegedly carried out without sufficient compensation.
The state government had earlier announced that structures obstructing the road’s right-of-way would be cleared to pave the way for expansion work.
ALSO READ: Ibadan residents protest road expansion
The Ibadan Circular Road project, conceived to decongest traffic within the metropolis and boost economic activities, has faced several setbacks since its initial conception under previous administrations.
When Makinde resumed office in 2019, he terminated the existing concession agreement, citing poor performance by contractors, and re-awarded the project to a new consortium.
While supporters describe the project as a landmark investment that will transform Oyo State’s economy, critics accuse the government of poor communication and inadequate community engagement.
Makinde maintained that his government was acting in the interest of the public and that due process was being followed. “We cannot build a modern Oyo State without making sacrifices,” he said.
The governor assured that the Ibadan Circular Road would remain a flagship project for regional integration and economic expansion once completed, connecting major highways and easing logistics for trade and transportation.
News Break
