Residents of communities situated along the Ibadan Circular Road corridor have accused the Oyo State Government under Governor Seyi Makinde of unlawful land expansion, forceful displacement, and deliberate marginalization in the ongoing execution of the 110-kilometre Ibadan Circular Road project. The residents, who spoke at a World Press Conference held on Thursday, 30th October 2025, at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, vowed to resist any further demolitions and threatened to embark on a mega peaceful protest if the government fails to address their grievances.
Led by the Convener, Prince Adeniyi Fasoye, and the Secretary, Isiaq Jimoh, the residents said their agitation is not against the Circular Road Project itself—which they described as a monumental infrastructure development capable of transforming the socio-economic landscape of Ibadan and Oyo State—but against what they termed an unconstitutional and anti-people attempt to expand the project’s land acquisition corridor from the legally established 75 metres to 500 metres on both sides.
The residents traced the history of the project to the administration of former Governor Rashidi Ladoja between 2003 and 2007, when the initial land acquisition processes were initiated and gazetted legally. According to them, all affected landowners and occupants within the 75 metres Right of Way (comprising 30 metres road path and 45 metres setback) were duly consulted, enumerated, and some were compensated during the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi administration.
However, they noted that compensation remains incomplete, with ₦80 million yet to be paid to affected persons.
What they found shocking and traumatic, they said, was the later declaration by the Makinde administration increasing the land takeover to 500 metres on both sides of the project—without any constitutionally mandated public hearing, gazette, legal notification, valuation assessment, or compensation.
“We view this as a deliberate oppression, marginalization and displacement of the poor for the rich,” the statement read, alleging that portions of the newly appropriated land are already being allocated to real estate developers and private estate companies.
Contrary to public perception, the residents insisted that no resident living within the expanded 1000 metres corridor has received compensation from the State Government or any of its agencies.
“It must be clearly stated that those who were compensated previously are those on the direct path of the road, not those on the expanded corridor. We repeat, NO compensation has been received by Residents on the 1000m corridor,” they declared.
The residents dismissed claims that they purchased government-acquired land. They described such assertions as a recent and unlawful attempt by the government to retrospectively label their legitimately owned properties as acquisition lands.
“We did not buy acquisition land. It was the present administration that, without due constitutional procedure, attempted to convert our communities into government acquisition after residents had developed and settled for years,” the statement emphasized.
The residents also called on Governor Makinde to keep to his public pronouncement made on 23rd September 2024 during a peaceful protest by affected residents, where he declared that no home standing on the circular road corridor would be demolished.
Quoting the Governor’s words, they recalled:
“A ò ní wó ilé yin” (We will not demolish your houses).
They demanded that this order be upheld “eternally” and that a representative committee comprising affected communities across the six Local Governments be immediately convened for dialogue.
The residents warned that failure of the government to respond will trigger a mass peaceful demonstration across the six affected Local Government Areas.
“We have been peaceful. We have followed all lawful means of engagement. If this government refuses to address the issues raised, we shall embark on a mega peaceful protest to defend our constitutional rights,” the communiqué stated.
They expressed appreciation to the Olubadan-in-Council, Mogajis, Baales, religious leaders, civil society advocates and media organizations for supporting their cause despite pressure from political interests.
“We acknowledge those who continue to stand for justice and the rule of law in Oyo State,” they said.
Contact Information:
Prince Adeniyi Fasoye – Convener – 07064204308
Isiaq Jimoh – Secretary – 08022300015
