An indigene of Oyo State, Popoola Hassan has called the attention of Oyo State Government, federal and state lawmakers and critical stakeholders to the collapsed Igboho-Kishi road which has caused untold hardship to road users and commuters in Oorelope and Irepo LGAs.
Popoola in his open letter appealed to Òyó State Government under the leadership of Engr Seyi Makinde to extend road revolution project to part of Oyo State and get it fixed on time to repose the confidence of his administration in the mind of people in the LGAs.
AN OPEN LETTER TO OUR LEADERS ON THE COLLAPSED IGBOHO–KISHI ROAD: A CRY FOR URGENT INTERVENTION
Your Excellencies and Honourables,
Engr. Seyi Makinde FNSE
Barr Bayo Lawal
Senator Buhari AbdulFatai Ph.D
Hon. Olaide Mohammed
Hon. Ayinde Waliu Aweda
Hon. Lukman Ishola
Prof. Salihu Abdulwaheed Adelabu
Hon. Tunde Taoheed Olayiwola
With deep respect and patriotic concern, I write to you on behalf of countless residents and road users in Irepo and Oorelope Local Government Areas who are currently grappling with the devastating aftermath of the heavy downpour that occurred yesterday. As seen in the attached videos, two critical bridges have collapsed: one linking Igboho to Kishi, and the other connecting Ajangba area to the National Open University, Kishi Study Centre. These are not just roads, they are lifelines — to businesses, education, healthcare, and to our collective economic survival.
The Kishi–Igboho Road is more than just a route; it is a critical artery connecting our people across the Oke-Ogun zone. Now, due to the collapse of the bridgetravellingng to Saki, which normally takes a shorter route, has become an exhausting, expensive, and risky journey. One has to either pass through Igbeti and turn back to Igboho or brave the dangerous and barely passable old road. This isn’t just an inconvenience — it is a setback to commerce, access to healthcare, movement of goods and farm produce, and daily life in general.
We remember with gratitude the selfless efforts of Hon. Adediran Asif Suleiman and Hon. Samuel Okunlade Ododo, alongside the concerned Transport Unions, who once took it upon themselves to temporarily fix the Kishi–Igboho bridge. Their passion and sacrifices prevented this exact disaster from happening earlier. Sadly, we’re now at a tipping point — the bridge has finally given way.
This is not about politics or pointing fingers; this is about our future. We have, on many occasions, raised concerns and made calls for urgent intervention. Rather than being heard, many of us have been tagged enemies of progress, dismissed as troublemakers, or accused of politicising things.
But what do we say now that the disaster has happened?
Will we still pretend?
Should we hide the truth so as not to ‘tarnish’ the image of our towns?
Or should we keep quiet until another life is lost to an avoidable accident?
To His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, we must sincerely appreciate the ongoing road revolution across Oyo State — the Ibadan to Iseyin road, Oyo to Iseyin, Ogbomoso to Iseyin Iseyin to Saki, Saki to Ogbooro, and the newly completed Ogbooro to Igboho road. These are testimonies of your commitment to development. However, it saddens us that our own axis — particularly the Kishi–Igboho state road — appears left behind in this wave of transformation.
Sir, we are not asking for too much, only that you extend that same progressive gesture to us. If not for any other reason, please do it in honour of your loyal and ever-supportive Deputy Governor, Barrister Abdulraheem Adebayo Lawal, whose hometown is directly affected by this road. What greater gift can you give a loyal partner in leadership than to connect his people to the rest of the state through good roads?
To our Federal lawmakers — Distinguished Senator Buhari AbdulFatai and Hon. Prince Olaide Lateef Mohammed — this is the time we need your voice, your strength, your representation. About five weeks ago, a construction company mounted a billboard indicating that work would begin soon on the old Kishi–Igboho Federal Road. That glimmer of hope has since gone dim, as if nothing has happened till today. We appeal to you to use your influence and legislative strength to push for immediate action. The road in question is just 18 kilometres long — it is not too much to ask for.
Senator Buhari, sir, Kishi is not only at the border of Oyo State, it is the economic hub of Oyo North, a strategic location for commerce and agriculture. This is a federal road and deserves urgent federal intervention.
To our Honourable Members at Oyo State House of Assembly; Minority Leader, Salami Waliu Aweda and Hon. Lukman Ishola from Oorelope Constituency and Commissioner for Training and Establishment, Prof. Salihu Abdulwaheed Adelabu, we appeal to your conscience and your commitment to service. Let this matter not be swept under the carpet. The people are watching, hoping, and waiting. History will remember who spoke out and who acted when it mattered most.
To our respected Chairmen in Irepo and Oorelope LGAs, you are not powerless. Just yesterday, the Governor posted the completion of the Akobo to Olorunda Road, financed and delivered by Lagelu Local Government. That is proof that collaboration with the State Government and judicious use of local funds can birth remarkable projects. If both of you can join hands, work with the Governor and the community, something tangible can be done. The people are suffering. Mobility has been crippled. Economic activities have slowed. And yet, these LGs receive allocations every month.
We must begin to rethink governance. It cannot be about visiting communities during elections alone. We need action. We need leadership. The inner roads, especially those classified as Truck C roads (Community Inner Roads), are in horrible condition — unmotorable, unsafe, and disheartening. It is clear that the local government system has been crippled and unable to function at full capacity. We must change that narrative.
The flood that washed off the bridges should be a wake-up call. We need proper drainage systems, structured water channels, and durable constructions, not patchwork solutions. Every year we cry about flooding, yet every year we do little or nothing. It’s time to face it head-on. Tomorrow might be too late.
This is not a campaign speech or political rhetoric. It is a sincere appeal, backed by reality and evidence. The attached videos say it all. We are not calling out anyone to shame them; we are calling on everyone to help. We are not enemies of government; we are citizens crying out for attention.
We want to believe that with one voice and collective effort, something will be done urgently. Let us not wait until lives are lost or businesses are completely wiped out. We love our town, and we want to see it thrive like others.
May God bless Oyo North.
May God bless Oyo State.
May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Signed,
A Concerned Citizen from Oke-Ogun.
Popoola Hassan (The Kishi-Man ♥️)
