When Politics Trumps Constitutional Duty: FG Excludes Oyo Govt From Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road Flag-off ||▪︎ By Femi Adebisi JP
Written by Femi Adebisi JP
August 24, 2026
The recent flag-off of the reconstruction of the Ibadan to Ijebu Ode road by the Federal Government of Nigeria, conspicuously excluding the Governor and government of Oyo State, raises profound constitutional, political, and ethical questions. This event, marked by the absence of the state’s highest elected official and the conspicuous presence of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, who mobilized the people without questioning the sidelining of his own governor, exposes a troubling disregard for constitutional collaboration and cooperative federalism in Nigeria.
Ibadan, as the capital of Oyo State, is not merely a geographical location but the political and administrative heart of the state. The exclusion of the Governor of Oyo State from such a critical infrastructure event, especially one that directly affects the state’s capital, is not only a political slight but a constitutional anomaly. The Nigerian Constitution and the Land Use Act provide a clear legal framework that mandates cooperation and consent between the federal and state governments in matters of road construction and land use. Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution empowers the National Assembly to legislate on federal roads. Still, this power does not extend to overriding the state’s control over land and rights of way, which are vested in the Governor under the Land Use Act of 1978. The Governor’s role is not ceremonial; it is constitutionally entrenched as the trustee of all land within the state, including the authority to grant or revoke rights-of-way for infrastructure projects.
The sidelining of the Oyo State Governor, despite the extensive political experience and constitutional knowledge of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja – Arusa 1, the Olubadan of Ibadan, as a former governor and the traditional father of all in Ibadan land, signals a dangerous politicization of infrastructure development. It undermines the principle of cooperative federalism, which is essential for Nigeria’s unity and development. Infrastructure projects of national importance, such as the Ibadan-Ijebu Ode road, require not only federal legislative backing but also the active participation and consent of the state government to ensure legal compliance and smooth execution.
Moreover, the involvement of the Olubadan of Ibadan in mobilizing the people without questioning the absence of the “Olori Omo Oba” – the Executive Governor of his State, reflects a complex interplay of politics and tradition. While the monarch’s role in community mobilization is commendable, it should not substitute for the constitutional role of the elected state leadership. The Governor, as the leader of all in the state, embodies the democratic mandate and constitutional authority that cannot be bypassed without legal and political consequences.
The federal government’s unilateral action risks violating this statutory provision and invites judicial intervention under Section 6 of the Constitution, which vests judicial powers to resolve such conflicts,s but I strongly doubt if the state governor will submit to such temptation.
In conclusion, the Federal Government’s decision to proceed with the Ibadan-Ijebu Ode road reconstruction without the involvement and consent of the Oyo State Government is a stark reminder of how political differences can undermine constitutional mandates and the spirit of federalism. All tiers of government in Nigeria must respect the constitutional provisions that govern their interactions, especially in critical sectors like infrastructure development. True progress and national unity can only be achieved through collaboration, respect for constitutional roles, and the depoliticization of development projects.
The Federal Government and the Oyo State Government must urgently engage in dialogue to rectify this breach of constitutional protocol. The people of Oyo State, particularly those in Ibadan, deserve infrastructure development that is not only effective but also constitutionally sound and politically inclusive. Anything less is a disservice to democracy, the rule of law, and the collective aspirations of Nigerians.
