Circular Road Row Exposes Divisions Within Oyo APC, Makinde’s Aide Claims

A political disagreement has emerged within the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the Ibadan Circular Road, with the Oyo State Government accusing the party of adopting conflicting positions on the project.

The controversy follows attempts by the APC-led Federal Government to associate itself with the 110-kilometre road project, while the party’s Oyo State governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, has reportedly criticised aspects of the project.

Olanrewaju traced the history of the Circular Road to 2005, when former Governor Rashidi Ladoja initiated the project with a 150-metre right of way. He said former Governor Abiola Ajimobi later expanded the corridor to one kilometre in 2017 and concessioned the project to ENL.

According to him, the project was reviewed and re-awarded to the SEL-Vydra Consortium in July 2021 under Makinde’s administration, which he described as the beginning of active construction.

He maintained that the Federal Government had no role in the project’s conception, funding or execution.

The governor’s aide argued that the road had significantly improved Ibadan’s infrastructure, citing its modern interchanges, expanded carriageways and potential to ease traffic congestion while opening up new areas for development.

He accused Alli of using the project for political attacks rather than engaging in constructive discussions about its design, cost and implementation.

Olanrewaju further described the APC’s position as evidence of internal divisions, alleging that the party was attempting to claim recognition for a project it had not executed while criticising the same infrastructure at the state level.

He said the development raised questions about the party’s consistency and credibility ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The media aide urged voters to scrutinise the positions of political parties and their candidates, arguing that public infrastructure should be assessed on its merits rather than used as a tool for political rivalry.

In a statement dated October 3, 2026, the Special Adviser on Media to Governor Seyi Makinde, Dr Olanrewaju, accused the APC of taking contradictory positions by claiming credit for the road while simultaneously portraying it as a flawed project.