Circular Road: Gov Makinde Makes U-turn, Ready To Engage Affected Residents

Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has changed his mind and decided to engage residents affected by the ongoing 110km Senator Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road Project, beginning from Wednesday, this week.

This is as he declared that his administration would continue to ensure that development is fair, humane and inclusive.

He stated this while presenting the 2026 Budget Proposal to the House of Assembly, noting that he was not moved by the insults and death wishes to him, as he had prepared for the praises and the insults, which are all parts of leadership.

Governor Makinde maintained that he would, in line with his promise to run a people-centred government, visit the Circular Road, listen to the residents, and explore all possibilities, including adequate compensation and resettlement.

He noted, however, that his administration didn’t carry out any acquisition on the project, as according to him, he was forced to release documents showing that the previous government acquired the 500 metres each to the right and left of the project.

Governor Makinde, who justified the importance of the Circular Road Project, said it is about equity, growth and shared prosperity to the state, warning that politicians who seek to profit from the controversy should have a rethink, as Oyo State residents are wiser.

He said: “When I took up this job, I envisaged situations like this. You did not come beg me to become the governor. I came out to say I wanted to do something good for Oyo State.

“We acknowledge that progress must be people-centered. And we remain committed to ensuring that development remains fair, humane, and inclusive.

“So, I will honour the promise that I made to visit, to listen and to explore all possibilities including resettlement, in addition to adequate compensation. I will start this week.

“On Wednesday, I will visit Ologuneru. But, let me say this. The Circular Road is not just about connectivity; it is about equity, growth, and shared prosperity.

“I was forced to release from the archive a document that shows adverts in the Nigerian Tribune newspaper of November 24th, 2018, which showed that the state government at that time, acquired 500 metres on the right and 500 metres on the left.

“On November 24th, 2018, was I the governor then?

“But we are engaging with our people. I promised a previous set of protesters when they came under the bridge that we would integrate them. But they also should know that, for me, in about 18 months, I will be out of here. I have started our preparation for transition.

“In 2027, other players will be here. If some people think they should attack Seyi Makinde and politicise this thing, maybe the people will vote for them, I can tell you that Oyo State people are wiser.

Governor Makinde added that apart from his administration shifting the focus of governance towards institutional legacy, ensuring that governance is based on systems and not personalities by creating many institutions, it is also imperative to have the support of the people towards achieving greater economic expansion, which is one of the advantages that the Circular Road will bring to the state.