Ibadan, Oyo - Hundreds of residents in Oyo State took to the streets today in a massive protest against Governor Seyi Makinde's administration, accusing it of landgrabbing in the name of the Ibadan Circular Road project.

The protest, which saw participants from various communities, was marked by chants, placards, and a strong show of dissent against the government's actions.

The demonstrators, many of whom are reportedly affected by the land acquisition, expressed their frustration over what they describe as an unjust and excessive seizure of their properties.

Placards held by protesters read messages such as "Dear Governor, Give Us Back Our Land and Interests" and other pleas for fairness and compensation.

The crowd, which included men, women, and children, marched through major streets, disrupting normal activities and drawing attention to their cause.

The protest comes in the wake of growing tensions between the state government and local communities, particularly those along the proposed route of the Ibadan Circular Road.

According to reports, the government’s plan to expand the road corridor has led to the marking of an additional 850 meters of land, a move that residents claim threatens their homes and livelihoods.

This expansion is significantly more than the initial 150 meters planned during the tenure of former Governor Rasidi Ladoja and the 350 meters added by his successor, Abiola Ajimobi.

Local community leaders and residents have voiced their concerns, stating that the project, intended to ease traffic in Ibadan, is instead causing undue hardship.

They argue that the lack of adequate consultation and compensation has left many families at risk of displacement without viable alternatives.

Governor Makinde’s administration has yet to issue an official response to the protest, but the event has sparked a broader conversation about land rights, urban development, and the balance between public infrastructure projects and the welfare of citizens.