Lagos/Iwo Road Interchange: S/West PDP salutes Makinde, says APC’s criticism misplaced, in bad faith

The South-West Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has commended the decision of the Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde, to reconstruct the Iwo Road Interchange, saying that the bold move was a show of courage by Makinde.

The South-West PDP, in a statement by the Zonal Publicity Secretary, Mr. Ayo Fadaka, said that the planned reconstruction was “well-thought-out and a reflection of governance with people’s interest at its core.”

He said that the road has become problematic for motorists and road users for years, adding that the criticism by the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) was not only misplaced but mischievous.

The South-West PDP chapter said that the courage exhibited by Governor Makinde to reconstruct the interchange would provide a lasting solution to the perennial traffic logjam around Iwo Road.

The party also took a swipe at the APC, which criticised the planned reconstruction, noting that the party was merely showcasing itself as enemy of the people.

“Rather than exhibiting progressive ideas in line with the name of that party, the APC in Oyo State have only showcased its true colours as a regressive, anti-people and a bullying party that needs education on how to play responsible opposition politics,” the PDP said.

The statement further reads: “We take due cognizance of the decision of the Oyo State Government to reconstruct the Lagos/Iwo Road interchange in Ibadan and strongly commend Governor Seyi Makinde for the courage to immediately tackle a road that, for years, has remained a traffic challenge to those who commute on it. Residents and visitors to the prime city of South-West, Ibadan have suffered untold losses as a result of the traffic snare on the Iwo Road axis.

“We also note that the APC in Oyo State has risen in arms against this laudable project, anchoring its opposition on two major planks, that the Governor chose to announce the execution of the project when he attended a Jumat service in a mosque  and that the corridor falls within the two Federal Road which are to be reconstructed.

“Much as we feel that these planks are infantile and ridiculous, we feel challenged to address them, as our explanations will provide a proper education for the mindset of the APC handlers in Oyo State.

“First, the new road project is expansive and it will consume so many existing properties, both public and private, thus Governor Makinde decided to meet with stakeholders to explain the rationale for the execution of the project, seek their understanding and support for same.

“This approach of course is strange to the APC in Oyo State as it is a remarkable departure from the garrulity and bullying tactics of the immediate past governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, who would have dared anyone to challenge the “constituted authority” 

“Secondly, the thinking that the contract sum is bogus failed to take into cognizance the fact that the road project is not intended to be a mere “window dressing” but one that is designed to be durable and withstand challenges that consume roads in Nigeria easily. Again, it is a fact that multibillion properties will be destroyed, therefore, ‘Seyi Makinde’s government, being a responsive and responsible government, will pay compensations to citizens and organizations that will be affected.

“We are also worried that the APC was equating the reconstruction of Ibadan/Ile-Ife Expressway and the Lagos/ Ibadan Expressway with the much needed succour desired to bring the traffic snare in Iwo Road to an end.”

The PDP urged the Oyo APC to ditch its puerile approach to playing opposition politics, noting that its handlers needed to be schooled on how to be a responsible opposition party in the State, a role which it noted that Oyo PDP played effectively for eight years, which led to the loss of the APC in the March 9, 2019 election.

“We wish to state that we understand the current plight of the APC in Oyo State as wanting to provide credible opposition to government. However, its puerile approach and obvious limited understanding of issues remain a grievous hindrance to the fulfilment of that responsibility. We, therefore, offer to train their handlers free of charge, as part of our corporate social responsibility,” the party said.