Osun: Residents protest over relocation of airport project to Adeleke’s hometown
By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo
Residents of Ido-Osun in Egbedore Local Government Area of Osun State staged a protest on Tuesday against Governor Ademola Adeleke’s decision to relocate the ongoing M.K.O. Abiola Airport project to his hometown, Ede.
The announcement, made by the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, revealed plans for a new airport to be inaugurated in the Olodan area of Ede by the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo. This decision has sparked outrage among the Ido-Osun community, which views it as an act of favoritism and nepotism.
Led by the Eesa of Ido-Osun, Chief Oyewale Basiru, and a former Osun State Assembly lawmaker, Abiodun Awolola, the protesters called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and stop the relocation of the airport project.
Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Is Adeleke Governor of Ede or Osun State?”, “We say no to favoritism”, “Give us back our airport”, and “Relocating the airport to your hometown is nepotistic”, the demonstrators gathered at the Oludo’s palace to express their grievances.
Speaking on behalf of the community, Awolola criticized Governor Adeleke’s decision to relocate the airport project, which has already seen over ₦20 billion invested by the previous administration.
“Relocating the airport from its original location to Adeleke’s hometown amounts to nepotism and favoritism, contrary to the democratic principles he swore to uphold as governor,” Awolola stated.
He added, “Governor Adeleke made a promise to our late king to complete the project, but the reverse is now the case. It is unfortunate that Kolapo Alimi, who served under the administration of Rauf Aregbesola and now works with Adeleke, is defending this relocation despite knowing the level of work done and the billions already expended on it. This decision is unacceptable and unjust as it undermines the rights and interests of the people of Ido-Osun.”
The community also accused the Adeleke family of encroaching on the airport land by building Adeleke University on part of it. They urged President Tinubu to prevail on Governor Adeleke to halt the relocation and advised his ministers to boycott any foundation-laying ceremony for the new project in Ede.
