Adeleke Plans Relocation of N20bn Worth Osun Airport Nearing Completion to Hometown, Residents Protest
Osun, a State in Nigeria’s Southwest, which has been starved of a airport since 1991 of its statutory establishment, is currently constructing one named M.K.O Abiola Airport project at Ido-Osun community area of Osun State.
The award of the airport construction was done between 2003 to 2006 but the significant construction started under former Governor Rauf Aregbesola in 2012. Over N20bn has been expended on the project, residents say.
Now that it is nearing completion, the current Governor Ademola Adeleke plans to relocate it from the initial construction site to his hometown in Ede.
The Ido-Osun community has staged a protest against the decision of the Governor, stating it will only amount to the wastage of public funds.
The protesters, led by the Ido-Osun Youth Forum, rejected the government’s explanation that the current site was no longer viable due to encroachment by individuals who erected structures on the land.
The community accused the governor of nepotism and favoritism, alleging that the decision was biased towards Ede. They argued that over N20 billion had already been invested in the airport project by previous administrations, and relocating it would be a waste of resources.
Abiodun Awolola, a former lawmaker, read a statement on behalf of the protesters, emphasizing that the airport had been in existence since 1936 and had received commitments from successive governments.
Part of the statement stated, “Ido-Osun Airport has been in existence since 1936 before it was abandoned and then successive governments of President Olusegun Obasanjo, Governor Bisi Akande, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Rauf Aregbesola and Gboyega Oyetola have all at their time made a very effective commitment in ensuring the airport comes to life.
“Over N20 billion have been expended on the Ido-Osun Airport by the past governments. Abandoning it to start a fresh project in the governor’s hometown, Ede will only paint the current government as nepotistic and amount to a waste of resources because the governor will have to dip hands into the coffers of the state for the fresh project.
“The airport which houses Nigerian Airforce Research and Development Center and the Aviation City, which is designed to serve civil, military and cargo aviation needs, as well as AI drones manufacturing hub, would have made drastic progress under governor Ademola Adeleke, rather than bury the age-long historic airport to start a new one in his hometown, Ede.”
He urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene and stop the relocation, and also called on the Ministers of Works and Aviation to shun the invitation to the foundation-laying ceremony for the new project in Ede.
The Allied Peoples Movement, an opposition party in the state, through a statement signed by Adewale Adebayo the chairman of the party, obtained in Osogbo, also condemned the governor’s decision, stating that it reeked of political favoritism and disregarded the resources already committed to the Ido-Osun site.
“To relocate such a critical project to the governor’s hometown reeks of political favouritism and disregards the resources and efforts already committed to the Ido-Osun site.
“Osun State cannot afford to waste N20 billion public funds, especially during these challenging economic times. The relocation of the airport project undermines the principle of fairness and transparency, as it appears to prioritize personal interests over the collective good of the people of Osun State.”
The Osun State Government has defended the decision, citing the need for development in the state. However, the Ido-Osun community remains unconvinced, accusing the government of ignoring their concerns and interests.
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