From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
There is palpable tension in Ido-Osun in Egbedore Local Government Area of Osun State as people of the community threatened to resist Governor Ademola Adeleke from relocating M.K.O Abiola International Airport to his hometown, Ede.
The people of the town who had stopped the bus of Adeleke University from passing through the community, on Tuesday, staged a protest, warning the Minister of Works, David Umahi, not to visit Osun for foundation laying of the airport at Ede.
The Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, recently announced that Umahi and Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo SAN, would lay the foundation of the relocated airport at Ede on December 16 as part of activities marking the second year anniversary of the governor.
But the people of the town vowed to resist the relocation, describing the action as “unacceptable and unjust,” as it undermines the rights and interests of the people of Ido-Osun.
Led by the Eesa of Ido-Osun, Chief Oyewale Basiru and former lawmaker in the state, Abiodun Awolola, the traditional chiefs, leaders and other indigenes of the town, converged on the palace of Olojudo for a protest, caring placards of various inscriptions such as: ‘Is Adeleke governor of Ede or Osun State?’, ‘We say no to favouritism,’ ‘Give us back our airport,’ ‘Relocating the airport to your hometown is nepotistic,’ ‘This is not what you promised us,’ among others.
Awolola who spoke on behalf of the community, faulted the decision of Adeleke to relocate the airport which his predecessors have spent over N20 billion on.
He said “Removing the airport from 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,” Awolola said.
He urged President Bola Tinubu to prevent Adeleke from relocating the airport to his hometown and warned his ministers not to grace any foundation laying of the new project in Ede.
“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,” Awolola said.