Motorists faced significant delays on Monday when thousands of residents from the Ibadan Circular Road Corridor project area took to the streets of Oyo State to stage a peaceful protest. The demonstration began around 10 AM near the end of the Ibadan-Ife road, leading to a gridlock that affected several major roads.
Protesters, armed with placards and banners, made their way to the state secretariat, where their presence forced a temporary shutdown, disrupting normal activities for visitors and officials.
Akeem Olaiya, one of the protesters, emphasized their intention: “We are law-abiding citizens. This protest is peaceful; all we ask is for the Oyo State Government to adhere to the original 150 meters marked by former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, the current Olubadan of Ibadanland.”
Key Points
- The protest was organized to oppose the extension of the Circular Road beyond the initially mapped 150 meters.
- Organizers, including group coordinator Adeniyi Fasoye, clarified that the protest was not politically motivated and was solely focused on community concerns regarding the road extension.
- The project was initially conceived during Olubadan Ladoja’s tenure but had faced setbacks due to political challenges in the past.
Over 100 communities across seven local government areas, including Ido, Lagelu, Ona Ara, Akinyele, Oluyole, and Egbeda, are united in their request for the government to maintain the original plans for the road.
