We’re dying, stop property demolition, landlords, residents beg Makinde

House owners and residents around the Ibadan Circular Road have appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State to reconsider his decision to pull down their properties further, saying many of them have died and scores are traumatised over the ongoing demolition.

They lamented that the action would compound the unbearable burden on the residents who had already been burdened with the present state of the economy.

The landlords and residents urged Governor Makinde to rethink his decision and save thousands of lives who have been affected and will be affected by the demolition.

They condemned the action of the Oyo State Government on the demolition of properties within a 500-metre setback, which is still ongoing.

The affected residents, who decried the action by the Oyo State Government, said it was inhuman and callous to demolish what they had worked for in their prime.

They claimed that further demolition would displace over 300,000 residents, stating that some of them are already passing through untold hardship resulting from the ongoing demolition.

Chief Adedeji Amidu Lamilo, who is the chairman of the residents cutting across six local governments out of 11, revealed that some affected residents had died, while some are traumatised with records of emotional damage due to the ongoing demolition.

In his address, Lamilo said: “It is a shocking move by the Governor to take 500 metres to the right and 500 metres to the left for a road setback and displace people living at the Circular Road corridor, which is against the initial plan of 75 metres by left and 75 metres by right laid out by the past administration, Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.

“The affected local governments are Ido, Akinyele, Oluyole, Ona-Ara, Egbeda, and Lagelu Local Government Areas, and all the residents jointly condemned the present administration’s move and act as inhumane, cruel, and a betrayal as we all voted for this government.

“It is heartbreaking to establish that, right from the resurgence of the Circular Road, the Seyi Makinde-led government has never made a public statement to address the situation. It appears to us that he is more interested in grabbing more land and destroying properties.

“Despite several cries, rallies, letters, and engagements initiated by the affected residents, the governor has turned a deaf ear to the people he claimed voted him to power.

“However, we urge the Oyo State House Assembly, the Olubadan of Ibadan, the mogajis, and the good people of Oyo State to exercise their power to invoke checks and balances in government and intervene, and call this present administration to order.

“We also challenge the Governor to publicly address the citizens of the state, stating clearly why he intends to take 500 metres to the right and 500 metres to the left as a road setback.

“Our demand is for him to stop the plan and maintain the initial plan of 75 metres by left and 75 metres by right as stated by the past administration of His Excellency Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.”

In his address, a former chairman of Ona Ara Local Government, Biliaminu Ogundele, said Makinde noted that the idea of 500 metres on both sides of the road is the idea of the governor and not part of the original plan by the past administrations.

He said that even if there were such a change in the plan, the government was supposed to have a proper dialogue with the affected residents on how to minimise the effect of the demolition rather than bringing heavy-duty machines suddenly to pull down houses.

He pointed out that when the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi demolished part of the Ayefele Music House, Engr. Seyi Makinde was one of the people who went there to protest with knickers.

Also speaking, one of the community leaders, Mr. Kayode Babyomi, said it was sad that despite all the entreaties to the governor, he has shown a lack of empathy and is keen on displacing thousands of residents in all areas along the Circular Road.

“We will remain on the street since the governor has chased us from our abodes. We will ensure that we stay on the street and let them know that we have no place to stay anymore and we will not leave until our demands are met,” he said.

Other residents, who spoke to journalists, expressed displeasure at the action of the governor who seemed unbothered by their cries and appeals.