The Oyo State chapter of the African Action Congress (AAC) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Governor Seyi Makinde, accusing his administration of a large-scale and deceitful land-grabbing operation along the Ibadan Circular Road corridor.
In a strongly worded statement signed by the party’s state chairman, Kayode Babayomi David, the AAC alleged that the Makinde-led government had betrayed public trust by confiscating lands from residents under the guise of road expansion, only to resell the properties to political allies and private developers.
“We stand in solidarity with all victims of Makinde’s land-grabbing spree, particularly residents whose homes have been marked for demolition under the false pretense of corridor expansion,” the statement read.
The AAC claimed that Governor Makinde initially promised not to seize more than 150 meters of land for the project but later extended the acquisition boundary by an additional 500 meters, displacing numerous homeowners in the process.
“This deceitful and exploitative act is despicable,” the party said. “We will not allow the government to destroy homes built through the sweat and sacrifice of the people while enriching its cronies.”
The opposition party announced plans to mobilize residents, civil society groups, and traders for a seven-day statewide protest to resist what it described as an “illegal demolition campaign.” The planned action, tagged “Occupy Ibadan,” is expected to begin Monday.
“Makinde should focus on providing affordable housing rather than demolishing people’s homes with impunity,” the AAC declared. “We will march alongside affected residents and shut down the state if necessary.”
Calling the planned demonstration a “historic march against impunity,” the AAC urged citizens to reject what it described as an alliance between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and powerful land speculators.
“Nowhere in the world does a road corridor extend 500 meters on both sides. This is not development — it’s land theft,” the statement added.
The AAC reaffirmed its commitment to defending the rights of Oyo State residents, asserting that only the party possesses the political will to challenge “kleptocratic governance” allegedly perpetuated by both the PDP and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Only the African Action Congress has genuine policies to safeguard the lives and property of Nigerians. The PDP and APC are two sides of the same corrupt coin,” the statement concluded.
The party called on residents to join Monday’s protest under the banner: “No Corridor in Ibadan.”
