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, which included the governor, along with the Ministers of Works and Aviation, David Umahi and Festus Keyamo, to lay the foundation for the new airport in Ede.
Led by the Eesa of Ido-Osun, Chief Oyewale Basiru, and former Osun Assembly lawmaker, Abiodun Awolola, the protesters gathered at the palace holding placards with inscription s 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.”
Awolola, speaking on behalf of the community, condemned the governor’s decision, highlighting that over N20 billion had already been invested in the airport project by previous administrations.
He said: “Removing the airport in the original location to Adeleke’s hometown will amount to nepotism and favouritism which oppose to the oath of democracy he took when he was sworn in as the governor.
“Adeleke made a promise to our late king to complete the project but the reverse is the case now. Unfortunately, Kolapo Alimi who served under the government of Rauf Aregbesola and now under Adeleke is the one stating reasons to relocate the airport despite knowing the level of work done and the billions of Naira that had been expended on it.
“The government decision is 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 stop Governor Adeleke from relocating the airport to his hometown, urging him to direct his ministers to refrain from attending any foundation-laying ceremony for the new project in Ede.
He added: “We urge the Osun State Government to reconsider this decision and maintain the original plan and complete the airport because the decision can lead to a communal clash between Ido-Osun and Ede communities as they share boundaries.
“Citing encroachment as reasons for relocating the airport lack logic because their institution encroached that land before time. We have enough land for the airport.”
