Oyo State Governor, ’Seyi Makinde, has declared that his administration will continue to ensure that development is fair, humane and inclusive, noting that he will engage with residents affected by the ongoing 110km Senator Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road Project, beginning from Wednesday.

He maintained that he would, in line with his promise to run a people-centred government, visit the Circular Road, listen to the residents, and explore all possibilities, including adequate compensation and resettlement.

Governor Makinde stated this on Monday, while presenting the 2026 Budget Proposal to the House of Assembly, noting that he was not moved by the insults and death wishes to him, as he had prepared for the praises and the insults, which are all parts of leadership.

He noted, however, that his administration didn’t carry out any acquisition on the project, as according to him, he was forced to release documents showing that the previous government acquired the 500 metres each to the right and left of the project and had even published the decision in a November 2018 edition of a national daily.

Governor Makinde, who justified the importance of the Circular Road Project, said it is about equity, growth and shared prosperity to the state, warning that politicians who seek to profit from the controversy should have a rethink, as Oyo State residents are wiser.

He said: “When I took up this job, I envisaged situations like this. You did not beg me to become the governor. I came out to say I wanted to do something good for Oyo State.

“We acknowledge that progress must be people-centered. And we remain committed to ensuring that development remains fair, humane, and inclusive.

“So, I will honour the promise that I made to visit, to listen and to explore all possibilities including resettlement, in addition to adequate compensation. I will start this week.

“On Wednesday, I will visit Ologuneru. But, let me say this. The Circular Road is not just about connectivity; it is about equity, growth, and shared prosperity.

“I was forced to release from the archive a document that shows adverts in the Nigerian Tribune newspaper of November 24th, 2018, which showed that the state government at that time, acquired 500 metres on the right and 500 metres on the left.

“On November 24th, 2018, was I the governor then? No.

“But we are engaging with our people. I promised a previous set of protesters when they came under the bridge that we would integrate them. But they also should know that, for me, in about 18 months, I will be out of here. I have started our preparation for transition.

“In 2027, other players will be here. If some people think they should attack Seyi Makinde and politicise this thing, maybe the people will vote for them, I can tell you that Oyo State people are wiser.

“The next set of leaders, I can only prop them up, expose them, encourage them; Oyo State people will be the ultimate deciders.”

Governor Makinde added that apart from his administration shifting the focus of governance towards institutional legacy, ensuring that governance is based on systems and not personalities by creating many institutions, it is also imperative to have the support of the people towards achieving greater economic expansion, which is one of the advantages that the Circular Road will bring to the state.

“Our focus has been to shift towards institutional legacies, ensuring that governance is system-based, not personality-based. In Oyo State, we don’t want strong men, we want strong institutions, and we have created some of those; including OYACA and the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority. So, we’ll continue to strengthen our civil service, digitise government processes, and entrench transparency as the standard for leadership.

“Our legacy will not be measured by buildings alone but by the values that sustain progress long after we have left the stage.

“They are talking about the Circular Road and all of that. We need industries. Our children are coming out of school; we need commercial solid minerals exploration in Oyo State. Yeah, people talk about governors or states now getting billions in federal allocation. Did the increase come from being productive? Well, Oyo State is moving from a consumptive economy now to a productive one.

“So, if we are here in front of you, saying, look, let us do this together. It is because we know Oyo State can stand on its own and be productive and true to our name as the pacesetter, we can set the pace for others.

“We have not failed you in over six years and we will not fail you now. You have stood firm through difficult times. You have trusted the process and believed in the vision. You have demonstrated beyond what I can even fathom. We are not a government that repays good with bad. Together, we will continue to grow, innovate and prosper,” he added.