Politics Over People? Revoked CofO Turns Ilorin Junction into Death Trap

Political Vendetta or Poor Planning? Revoked CofO Leads to Dangerous Road in Ilorin
Ilorin, Kwara State

— May 19, 2025

What began as a controversial political decision has now become a public safety crisis. Months after the Kwara State Government under Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq revoked the Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) of Crystal Place, a commercial complex owned by Hon. Mashood Mustapha, the site has turned into a recurring scene of chaos and injury.

Crystal Place, once a thriving business hub, was demolished following the state government’s decision to reclaim the land. In its place, a road was hurriedly constructed — a road that has now become notorious for a dangerously sharp corner, which many residents and observers believe could have been avoided with better urban planning.

Last night, another accident occurred at the problematic bend. A commercial bus collided with a salon car, leaving several people seriously injured. Eyewitnesses report that the accident was due to poor visibility and the sudden curve where the demolished complex once stood.

“This is not the first time,” said a local shop owner, who asked to remain anonymous. “Since that corner was created, we’ve seen at least five major accidents here. But nothing has been done.”

Critics argue that the road construction was politically motivated and rushed, allegedly as part of a broader vendetta against Hon. Mustapha, a prominent figure in Kwara politics and a former ally turned critic of the current administration.

“Revoking the CofO and demolishing Crystal Place had less to do with development and more to do with silencing political opposition,” said a civil society activist. “But now, ordinary citizens are paying the price.”

Medical teams responded swiftly to last night’s crash, transporting the injured to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital. While no fatalities were confirmed as of this writing, the severity of the injuries has sparked renewed outrage.

Community leaders and advocacy groups are calling for an immediate redesign of the road and a public inquiry into the decision-making process that led to its current hazardous state.

For many in Ilorin, the question remains: was this a case of necessary development gone wrong, or a politically fueled act that has endangered the very citizens it was meant to serve?

If you witnessed the accident or have been affected by incidents at the Crystal Place junction, share your story using #IlorinSharpCorner or contact the newsroom.