By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo
Residents of Ido-Osun, in the 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 protest followed an announcement by the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, outlining plans for Adeleke’s second anniversary. The plans included the governor, alongside the Ministers of Works and Aviation, David Umahi and Festus Keyamo, laying the foundation for the new airport in Ede.
Led by the Eesa of Ido-Osun, Chief Oyewale Basiru, and a former Osun Assembly lawmaker, Abiodun Awolola, the protesters gathered at the palace, holding placards with inscriptions such as: “Is Adeleke Governor of Ede or Osun State?”, “We Say No to Favouritism”, “Give Us Back Our Airport”, and “Relocating the Airport to Your Hometown is Nepotistic.”
Speaking on behalf of the community, Awolola condemned the governor’s decision, emphasising that over ₦20 billion had already been invested in the airport project by previous administrations.
He said: “Relocating the airport from its original location to Adeleke’s hometown amounts to nepotism and favouritism, which contradicts the democratic oath he took when he was sworn in as governor.
“Unfortunately, Kolapo Alimi, who served under the government of Rauf Aregbesola and is now under Adeleke, is supporting the relocation despite being aware of the level of work done and the billions of naira already spent on the project.”
Awolola added that the government’s decision was unacceptable and unjust, as it undermines the rights and interests of the people of Ido-Osun.
The community called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and prevent Governor Adeleke from relocating the airport to his hometown. They also urged the president to direct his ministers to refrain from attending any foundation-laying ceremony for the new project in Ede.
He further said: “We urge the Osun State Government to reconsider this decision, retain the original plan, and complete the airport. This decision could lead to communal clashes between the Ido-Osun and Ede communities, as they share boundaries.
“Citing encroachment as a reason for relocating the airport lacks logic because those institutions encroached on the land long after it was designated for the project. We have sufficient land for the airport.”