The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has called on Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State to suspend the foundation-laying ceremony of the proposed Osun State International Airport.
The request comes amidst an ongoing dispute over the relocation of the airport project from Ido-Osun to Ede.
Governor Adeleke, who inaugurated an inter-ministerial committee in 2023 to revive the long-abandoned MKO Abiola International Airport in Ido-Osun, announced plans to relocate the project to Ede, citing the unsuitability of the original site for a full-fledged airport.
This decision, however, has sparked protests from the Ido-Osun community, which accuses the state government of nepotism and economic inefficiency.
On November 26, locals staged a protest against the relocation, describing it as undemocratic and a waste of public resources.
The Ido-Osun Youth Forum, in a petition dated November 29, urged the federal government to intervene.
The group argued that the Ido-Osun site already boasts Nigeria’s largest flat runway and strategic infrastructure, making it a more viable option than Ede.
“Governor Adeleke’s decision is politically driven and economically wasteful. The existing airport at Ido-Osun holds far greater potential for Osun State’s development,” the petition read.
In response, the federal government sent a letter to Governor Adeleke on December 6, requesting a postponement of the groundbreaking ceremony.
Signed by Emmanuel Meribole, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation, the letter emphasized the need to harmonize state and federal efforts on the project.
The ministry noted that the airstrip in Ido-Osun is a federal project included in the 2024 budget.
It also highlighted the importance of ensuring judicious use of resources and resolving the petitions before proceeding with any relocation.
“Your Excellency is respectfully requested to reschedule the foundation-laying ceremony of the Osun State Airport pending the resolution of the petitions and the selection of a mutually agreed date,” the letter stated.
The Osun State International Airport project has faced challenges over the years.
In 2012, under the administration of Rauf Aregbesola, efforts were made to revive the multibillion-naira airport, but these efforts were abandoned.
Now, with renewed attempts to bring the project to life, tensions between the state and federal governments, as well as local stakeholders, have further complicated its realization.
As the controversy continues, all eyes remain on Governor Adeleke’s next move and the resolution of the dispute over the airport’s location.