Adekanmbi promises to settle Circular Road compensation within 100 days if elected

By Adejayan Gbenga

The governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Oyo State, Bimbo Adekanmbi, has promised to settle outstanding compensation claims by property owners affected by the construction of the Ibadan Circular Road within his first 100 days in office if elected governor in 2027.

Adekanmbi made the promise during an interview on Fresh FM in Ibadan, where he discussed infrastructure, workers’ welfare, land acquisition and public finance. He said he had engaged affected residents and appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde to ensure that outstanding compensation was paid. He added that he would review the records and pay verified outstanding claims if elected. “Within my first 100 days in office, I will check the file again, and anybody who is yet to be paid, I will pay the remaining people,” he said.

The former commissioner under the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi defended the Circular Road project, arguing that previous administrations had conceived it before the Makinde government began implementation. He said Makinde had assured him that outstanding compensation would be paid, while acknowledging concerns among affected property owners. On workers’ welfare, Adekanmbi promised to maintain the 25th of every month as the salary payment date for civil servants, adding that his administration would aim to pay earlier when possible.

Recalling his time in the Ajimobi administration, Adekanmbi claimed that Oyo State had accumulated 14 months of unpaid salaries when he became a commissioner. He said he helped secure federal fiscal support and the Paris Club refund to clear the arrears, adding that regular salary payments would remain a priority under his proposed administration. He also pledged to ensure that government land acquisitions for residential layouts, airports and agricultural projects complied with existing laws, while declaring his opposition to land grabbing.

Adekanmbi also addressed allegations concerning land transactions and public officials. He denied reports that he had received a land-related contract from President Bola Tinubu and defended Makinde against land-grabbing allegations. However, he alleged that an unnamed political figure who sold him land failed to provide sufficient details to help him locate the property. He also challenged Senator Sharafadeen Alli, who represents Oyo South Senatorial District, to respond to allegations of financial impropriety linked to his past administration of a local government.

On the January 2024 Bodija explosion in Ibadan, Adekanmbi defended the Makinde administration’s handling of financial assistance to victims, arguing that the state government had to provide immediate support rather than wait for federal funds. He rejected allegations that money meant for the victims had been diverted, claiming that differences between the amount requested and the amount released by the Federal Government, alongside outstanding administrative requirements, affected the process.

Turning to infrastructure, Adekanmbi acknowledged Makinde’s investments in major roads but said he would prioritise internal roads to improve access within communities. He also promised to strengthen the operations of the upgraded Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan to enhance its economic contribution. On electricity, he claimed the state needed about 600 megawatts to meet its requirements and pledged to explore additional options following the decentralisation of the power sector.

Adekanmbi further promised to work with the Federal Government to revive the Ikere Gorge Dam, alleging that previous efforts to develop the facility had made little progress after it was concessioned. He also pledged to establish a framework for managing tourism sites across Oyo State to boost their economic contribution. The APM candidate said his experience in the Ajimobi administration had reinforced the importance of transparency, accountability and proper monitoring of public projects, which he described as key priorities ahead of the 2027 governorship election.