The Federal Government on Monday commenced the N297bn reconstruction of the 56.5-kilometre Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road, but the ceremony was overshadowed by a dispute over the exclusion of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, from the flag-off.
President Bola Tinubu, represented by Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, performed the flag-off at Idi Ayunre, Oyo State, for a project the Federal Government says will strengthen movement between Oyo and Ogun states and revive a key commercial corridor.
Tinubu said the road had deteriorated for years and its reconstruction was necessary because of its importance to farmers, manufacturers, students and other users who depend on the route.
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He said the project, being handled by JRB Construction Company, would be delivered within 36 months.
“Today demonstrates the flag-off of the 56.5 km Ibadan-Ijebu Ode road. It is more than just a flag-off; it is a connection between the two states economically,” Tinubu said.
The President also disclosed that he had approved the redesign of the 70-kilometre Ibadan-Abeokuta Road, with procurement already underway.
He said the projects were part of his administration’s infrastructure programme and predicted that improved road connectivity would stimulate economic activity and attract investment to the affected states.
The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, said the Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode route was among several projects being pursued by the Federal Government across the South-West.
Umahi disclosed that Oyo State currently had 17 major road projects out of 47 Federal Government projects in the region. He also said the administration had ordered the reconstruction of the Ibadan-Abeokuta Road and 15 other roads across the South-West.
He said the Ibadan-Oyo-Ogbomoso and Oyo-Ibadan corridors were also receiving attention, with the former reportedly 80 per cent completed and the latter, previously abandoned, now revived.
The Minister of State for Works, Bello Mohammed, said the reconstruction would ease transportation difficulties between the two states.
He, however, linked the infrastructure programme to the 2027 elections, telling residents that the project should be reciprocated with votes for Tinubu and other All Progressives Congress candidates.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, also praised the Federal Government for approving the reconstruction, saying the road would improve relations between Ibadan and Ijebu communities.
Ladoja said he had been assured that the project could be delivered within 24 months, shorter than the 36-month period announced by the President.
“The people of Ibadan and Oyo State are using this opportunity to thank the President for the project, and we shall retaliate in the coming election,” the monarch said.
The political undertone became more pronounced after the Oyo State Government criticised Makinde’s absence from the ceremony.
Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, said the exclusion was unacceptable, particularly because the governor’s absence was attributed to his being on leave.
Oyelade said the explanation was unconvincing because an acting governor was available to represent the state.
“The excuse that the invitation was not extended to Governor Makinde because he was on leave makes the case even more ridiculous, because there is a functional acting governor on the ground,” Oyelade said.
He added that Makinde considered the event a political jamboree rather than a purely developmental occasion.
“Governor Makinde is unperturbed and regrets that the event was reduced to a political jamboree,” the commissioner stated.
The disagreement is significant because the road cuts across two states whose governments have different political affiliations, while the 2027 elections are already shaping political calculations in the South-West.
As for the Federal Government, the reconstruction is being presented primarily as an infrastructure intervention. For the Oyo State Government, however, the manner in which the project was launched has raised questions about political courtesy and federal-state relations.
Besides the dispute, the project is expected to address a longstanding transport link between Ibadan and Ijebu-Ode, connecting communities, markets, farms, and educational institutions along the corridor.
Senate Committee Chairman on Works, Allwell Onyesoh, said the road had its roots in plans dating back to 1965 under the administration of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
He said its reconstruction would shorten travel time and reduce accidents along the route.
The Federal Government has set a 36-month completion target, although Ladoja said he had received assurances of delivery within 24 months. The contractor, JRB Construction Company, will therefore face pressure to translate the financial commitment into a completed road while the political disagreement surrounding the flag-off continues to simmer.
