Motorists were stranded on Monday as thousands of residents affected by the Ibadan Circular Road Corridor project staged a peaceful protest in Ibadan.

The protesters, carrying placards and banners, gathered around the Ibadan–Ife Road around 10am, causing heavy gridlock. They also blocked other major routes before marching through Idi-Ape to the Oyo State Secretariat, Agodi, where the demonstration intensified.

Access to the secretariat was restricted during the protest, leaving visitors and workers stranded.

One of the protesters, Akeem Olaiya, said they were peaceful and only wanted the state government to stick to the original 150 metres marked for the project by former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, now the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.

The group coordinator, Adeniyi Fasoye, stressed that the protest was not political and that they were only opposing the proposed extension of the corridor.

PUNCH Metro reports that the Circular Road project was introduced during Ladoja’s administration but stalled after his impeachment. While Ladoja originally approved 150 metres for the corridor, Governor Seyi Makinde is reportedly planning to extend it, a move residents fear will affect more houses and community land.

Over 100 communities across seven local government areas have urged the government not to exceed the original 150-