For the second consecutive day, hundreds of residents whose homes are marked for demolition along the Ibadan Circular Road (ICR) corridor staged a peaceful protest at the Oyo State Government Secretariat in Agodi, Ibadan, on Thursday, September 19.
The protesters, equipped with placards, banners, and loudspeakers, arrived at the Secretariat gate as early as 7 a.m. The Nation reports that, despite heavy rains on Wednesday, the demonstrators refused to disperse, demanding an audience with Governor Seyi Makinde.
Although the governor was attending the groundbreaking ceremony for the upgrade of Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan on Wednesday, the protesters continued to reject the 500-meter corridor prescribed by the government, which they claim affects their homes and livelihoods.
On Thursday, the protest intensified as demonstrators demanded the cancellation of the corridor. The situation led to the partial closure of the main entrance gate to the Secretariat, with only one side open for human and vehicular movement.
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Despite their frustrations, the protesters managed the traffic flow around the Secretariat and coordinated vehicular movement in the area. The demonstrators expressed their desire to speak directly with Governor Makinde, noting that he was accessible to them during his campaign and should listen to their concerns now.
Placards bore messages such as: “Stop 500 meters ICR Corridor to Save Lives in Ile-Ola Community”, “500 Meters Ibadan Circular Road Corridor Will Render Us Homeless”, and “Governor Seyi Makinde, Please Save Over 1,500 Families in Eni-Osa”.
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As of the time of this report, protest leaders were meeting with CP Sunday Odukoya (rtd), Executive Assistant to Governor Makinde on Security. Further details on other government representatives present at the meeting were unavailable.