…Seeks compensation, justice for victims

 

The Oyo State governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dr. Gbemileke Alagbe, has called on the state government to adopt a more humane and transparent approach to the ongoing demolition affecting communities and property owners along the Ibadan Circular Road corridor.

Alagbe, popularly called Eleniyan, made the call during a solidarity visit to affected communities, including Ogunsile Village, Ofebolo Village and Kadelu Village in Egbeda Local Government Area of the state.

Accompanied by the ADC deputy governorship candidate, Chief Niyi Aborisade, and other party leaders, Alagbe listened to the concerns of residents whose homes, businesses and livelihoods have reportedly been affected by the demolition exercise.

In a statement issued by the Eleniyan Campaign Organisation and made available to journalists in Ibadan, Alagbe expressed sympathy with the affected residents, stressing that genuine development must be people-centred, transparent and humane.

He questioned whether development could be considered successful when the people it was intended to benefit were left devastated by the process.

Alagbe acknowledged the importance of infrastructure development but said it should not become a justification for disregarding the dignity, property rights and legitimate interests of residents.

He urged the government to ensure proper consultation, fair compensation, resettlement where necessary, and adherence to due process in dealing with affected property owners.

The ADC candidate also called for a transparent assessment of properties affected by the exercise and urged the government to engage directly with the communities rather than treating residents as obstacles to development.

“We cannot build roads and destroy the lives of the people the roads are meant to serve. Development should bring hope, not displacement; progress should create opportunities, not helplessness,” he said.

Alagbe said his visit was aimed at drawing attention to the need for responsible governance that places the welfare and dignity of citizens at the centre of development policies.

He maintained that residents should not be sacrificed for infrastructure development, stressing that development should ultimately be designed and delivered for the benefit of the people.