SaharaReporters learned that the victims and AAC took the step to force the government to stop the demolition exercise which has reportedly killed dozens of the residents and rendered thousands of them homeless.
Thousands of victims of the ongoing demolition exercise by the Oyo State Government under the leadership of Seyi Makinde together with leaders and members of the African Action Congress are currently holding a massive protest in Ibadan, the state capital.
SaharaReporters learned that the victims and AAC took the step to force the government to stop the demolition exercise which has reportedly killed dozens of the residents and rendered thousands of them homeless.
The protesters stormed the entrance of the state government secretariat at Agodi, shouting ‘No more corridor’ to express their displeasure over the planned construction of corridor road by the government at the expense of their houses and lives.
Last week, some affected residents also hit some major roads of the ancient city and stormed the state secretariat to stop the state government from proceeding with the ongoing demolition exercise.
This call was reflected in the inscriptions contained in their placards.
The residents earlier claimed that scores of people had been killed with over 300,000 others displaced as a result of the demolition exercise.
This was stated during a press conference that was held by the affected residents last Thursday in Ibadan.
The demolition, which aims to acquire 500 metres of land for the construction of the Ibadan Circular Roads Project, has been widely criticised as excessive and inhumane.
The affected residents called on the Oyo State House of Assembly, the Olubadan of Ibadan, and other stakeholders to intervene and hold the governor accountable for his actions. They demand that the governor stick to the original plan of the Circular Road and halt the demolitions.
The residents also corroborated the AAC’s accusations that the governor is acquiring land to build estates for himself and his cronies.
The press statement was issued by all the concerned and affected residents cutting across six local government areas out of the 11 council areas in Ibadan.