Adeleke had inaugurated an inter-ministerial committee to revive the abandoned airport in 2023.
The governor said his administration discontinued the MKO Abiola international airport in Ido-Osun and relocated it to Ede — his hometown — because the old site was unsuitable for a full-fledged airport.
But the proposed relocation riled Ido-Osun locals who have determined to oppose the move.
On November 26, the community staged a protest, condemning the relocation plans as “nepotistic and undemocratic”.
In a petition to Keyamo, dated November 29, the Ido-Osun Youth Forum said it is unacceptable that the state government would consider moving the airport to Ede, “where a new airport would be less than 10 minutes away from the current location in Ido-Osun”.
The group said it is alarming that the government is pushing the agenda “without reasonable cause”.
“These actions are a misuse of public funds and a waste of taxpayers’ money, giving consideration to the fact that Ido-Osun already has the largest flat runway in Nigeria, which has been capable of handling various aviation needs,” the petition reads.
“Governor Ademola Adeleke’s decision to relocate the airport to his home town of Ede is not only politically driven but also economically wasteful.
“The Ido-Osun airport, with its established infrastructure and strategic position, holds far greater potential for the development of the State.
“Rather than investing in the unnecessary construction of a new airport in Ede, which would entail duplicating resources and creating Inefficiencies, we urge your office to focus on revitalizing and completing the Ido-Osun Airport as originally planned.”
‘RESCHEDULE GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY TO A MUTUALLY AGREED DATE’
In a letter seen by TheCable, dated December 6 and signed by Emmanuel Meribole, permanent secretary of the ministry of aviation and aerospace development, the federal government asked Adeleke to suspend the groundbreaking event until the issue is resolved.
In the letter, titled, ‘Re: Invitation as a Special Guest of Honour at the Foundation Laying Ceremony of the Osun State International Airport’, the ministry said the airport is a federal project which has been included in its 2024 budget.
“I wish to refer to your letter Ref. No. 5.12/19/1/Vol.VI/188 dated 21st November 2024 on the above subject and to respectfully request Your Excellency to suspend the foundation laying ceremony of the Osun State International Airport until the issues regarding the petitions over the existing airstrip/airport are resolved and to harmonize the state’s efforts with that of the federal government,” the letter reads.
“Your Excellency may wish to note that the airstrip is a federal project that is captured in the Ministry’s 2024 Appropriation. We also note that you have made arrangements to expand the airstrip to an international airport.
“In addition, there is a petition indicating there is an existing airstrip where funds have been expended and the need to use the site for the present airstrip instead of a new site.
“The federal government is mandated to ensure judicious use of funds to curtail wastage of resources. As this Airstrip Project is a collaboration between state and federal governments, we must be in sync before the project takes off.
“Accordingly, Your Excellency is respectfully requested to reschedule the foundation laying ceremony of the Osun State Airport pending the resolution of the petitions and selection of a mutually agreed date.”
In 2012, the Rauf Aregbesola-led administration attempted to revive the moribund multibillion-naira airport.
But the efforts did not pay off as the project was again abandoned to date.
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