Makinde planning to render thousands of families homeless in Ibadan: APC

The All Progressives Congress in Oyo has urged Governor Seyi Makinde to think twice about his alleged plan to take over some land in Ibadan.

The governor had proposed creating 500 metres setbacks for the ongoing circular road project in the city.

But Oyo APC, in a statement by its spokesman, Olawale Sadare, queried the rationale behind the alleged plan.

It insisted it was part of the Makinde government’s determination to “forcefully hijack over 24,700 acres of privately owned land.”

The APC argued that such action would render over 100,000 families homeless and stranded.

The project is expected to run through the six local government areas in the outer parts of Ibadan city.

Controversy had raged over the announcement of the 500-metre setbacks on both sides of the 110-kilometre road.

APC said the affected landlords had pleaded for leniency even though many of them allegedly had their buildings demolished or marked for demolition by the state government’s agents.

“Even as the state government claims the actions were being taken in the overriding public interest, certain questions on the exact development projects which are to be done on such expanse of land have not been answered by the government.

“This has lent credence to the submission from many quarters that it could be a repeat of what had happened to various land resources owned by either the government or private individuals/organisations allegedly sold off by the government in recent times,” APC said.