The proposed relocation of Osun State’s airport project from Ido Osun to Ede, Governor Ademola Adeleke’s hometown, has sparked controversy, with accusations of nepotism levelled by the All Progressives Congress (APC) against the state government.
At a press briefing in Osogbo on Wednesday, a member of the Technical Committee overseeing the project, Mr. Lai Oriowo, defended the relocation decision. “The findings of the committee revealed several inadequacies at the Ido Osun site,” Oriowo stated.
According to Oriowo, the findings included insufficient runway length, the presence of obstructive structures like Adeleke Secondary School, and inadequate culverts and drainage. “Siting the runway at this location would require significant displacement of settlements and demolition of existing structures, making it unfeasible,” he added.
Oriowo explained that the technical review also found that the existing runway at Ido Osun measured only 1.67km, far below the required 4.8km for a standard airport. “After considering alternative locations, Akoda in Ede was found to meet all necessary conditions,” Oriowo said.
However, the opposition APC rejected the justification for the relocation, accusing Governor Adeleke of nepotism. Osun APC spokesperson, Mr. Kola Olabisi, described the committee’s reasons as “shallow and mischievous.”
Olabisi criticized the government for abandoning billions of naira already invested in the Ido Osun site since the administration of ex-Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola. “If illegal structures were built on the land, why didn’t the governor demolish them instead of relocating the project? The decision reeks of favouritism and should be seen for what it is—a selfish move,” Olabisi said.
The controversy follows a peaceful protest by Ido Osun residents earlier in the week, during which locals voiced their opposition to the relocation plan. Chanting anti-government slogans, they demanded that the project remain in Ido Osun, arguing that the government’s explanation of encroachment on the land was insufficient.
The airport relocation remains a contentious issue, with critics questioning the governor’s motives while the state government insists the decision is rooted in technical and safety considerations.
As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether the state government will reconsider its decision or stick to its guns. One thing is certain, however: the fate of the Osun airport project hangs in the balance.
