𝐎𝐲𝐨 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐭 𝐃𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐲 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐫’𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐲

The Oyo State Government has firmly denied reports alleging that it demolished a property belonging to a former Deputy Governor of the state, Rauf Olaniyan, describing the claims as false, misleading and politically coloured.

The Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, Williams Akin-Funmilayo, while speaking with journalists during an on-site inspection of the location at Temidire Zone 1, along the Bodija–Ojoo Expressway, clarified that no building was demolished, insisting that only a fence obstructing a service road was removed.

“Some few hours ago, there was an online news being circulated claiming that the Oyo State Government had destroyed the property of a former deputy governor of the state, Engr Remi Olaniyan, and that the action is a political vendetta,” Akin-Funmilayo said.

“It came as a surprise to me, because I gave the instruction to carry out the removal of some illegal structures inhibiting smooth traffic and passage of vehicles within this neighbourhood.”

The commissioner explained that complaints from residents prompted the ministry’s intervention and that due process was followed before enforcement.

“When I got that news, I knew quite all right that my officials would never go out of official instruction. But just to reconfirm, I decided to visit the site and see exactly what was carried out. That is why we are here this afternoon,” he said.

According to him, the land in question is undeveloped and has no structure on it.

“Well, it is something we can attest to. The property being claimed that belongs to the former deputy governor, there is no structure on it. We only have about two or three tar boilers there, which are equipment for road construction. So, I don't know what property was destroyed on an undeveloped piece of land,” he stated.

Akin-Funmilayo stressed that the fence removed was blocking a service road that has existed for decades and provides access for residents.

“The structures removed are just blocking free flow of vehicles for residents of this neighbourhood. However, before I gave approval to it, due diligence was carried out,” he said.

He added that although the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development granted a temporary setback release, it clearly stated that no permanent structure should be erected on the land.

“As we all know, physical development is regulated by the state and not the Federal Government. The letter clearly stated that no permanent structure should be put on the ground and that the use should not disturb the peace and tranquillity of the community,” he explained.

The commissioner warned that the state government would not allow actions capable of disrupting peaceful coexistence.

“Truth is, we are not going to be here as a government and somebody will be making life difficult for others. We are not going to accept that,” he said.

On whether adequate notice was served, Akin-Funmilayo confirmed that the property owner had been duly notified.

“Normally, when we see illegal structures inhibiting peaceful coexistence, we serve notice. In an event that they don’t do the needful, we enforce it. We have served them notice before and we will serve them again. If they refuse, we will take it up,” he added.

Residents of the community also backed the government’s position. Speaking on behalf of the neighbourhood, Yusuf Bolaji said the access road belongs to everyone.

“I came here in 1983 to buy land. This road has been here for over 30 years and we have been using it. Suddenly, the road was blocked. There was no building here before,” he said.

Another community leader, Dikirulahi Tiamiyu, said multiple reports were made to both federal and state authorities before action was taken.

“We brought out our master plan and they went through it and saw clearly that this place is a service road which has existed for many years,” he said.

“The other undeveloped land belongs to the former deputy governor, and you can see that nothing was touched there. All we want is to reopen this access road from the expressway to Bodija.”

The Oyo State Government reiterated its commitment to orderly urban development, rule of law, and the protection of the rights and safety of all residents.