Violence Looms in Osun Over Attempt to Relocate Airport from Ido-Osun to Ede

The youths of the Ido-Osun community have berated the governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola  Adeleke over his attempt to relocate the proposed MKO Abiola airport from its original location in Ido-Osun to Ede, which is the home town of the governor and not more than ten minutes drive away from Ido-Osun. In a press release made available to the public by the youths of Ido-Osun on Tuesday 26th of November 2024, they recounted their ordeals and the frustrations they have been subjected to over the concerted efforts channeled toward the relocation of the proposed MKO Abiola airport which had been on ground in Ido-osun for more than 90 years and had received inputs toward its completion from all the previous administrations notable among which are those of President Obasanjo, Governor Akande, Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola,  Governor Rauf Aregbesola  and  Governor Adegboyegba  Oyetola respectively, to Ede.

The Ido-Osun youths in their press statement also touched on some actions of governor Ademola Adeleke which they described as nepotistic and over high handedness toward their community, which include : the renaming of the MkO Abiola international airport located in their community to Isiaka Adeleke airport, an action that they resisted though with utmost caution. In less than two months after the demise of our king the Alayemore of Ido-Osun Kingdom, a Baalè was imposed on a part of our town in Halleluyah area of Ido-Osun. Recently, another attempt was made to circumvent the sovereignty of Ido-Osun People by trying to impose an Oba on the Ido-Osun people using a set of unknown warrant chiefs on our kingdom, a practice that was alien to our kingdom. In another development, guns where used to chase farmers at Aga Phase 2 farmland around the Airport out of their land and forcefully entering the land and  selling some portions to individuals in the name of Ede people and Ede Governor, a matter that was reported to the police and to avoid communal crises, we  managed this evil events intellectually.

However, the youths of Ido-Osun have indicated that just as every annexation of Ido-Osun agenda had been resisted, this attempt also to relocate Ido-Osun Airport to Ede will not also be different. ‘’We will resist this evil and insensitive agenda with all God has helped us with’’.

In conclusion, cognizant of the fact that a stitch in time saves nine and prevention is better than cure, the Ido-Osun Youths forum demand as follows:

1. We demand that President Bola Tinubu should prevail on Governor Adeleke because the federal allocation he is giving to state is meant for all the communities, and not to serve only the hometown of the governor.
2. We urge the Ministers of Tinubu, both Works and Aviation; David Umahi and Festus Keyamo to shun the foundation laying of the new airport in Ede, because it will amount to giving nod to nepotism of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
3. President Tinubu should stop his ministers from attending any foundation laying ceremony, else it will amount to the fact that presidency was part of the authorization to relocate the airport.
4. We urge the Osun State Government to reconsider this decision and maintain the original plan and complete the airport in Ido-Osun, considering the over N5billion that had been spent on the project by the past administrations. Relocating the airport to Ede would not only be a betrayal of the trust, but a a clear case of marginalization of the community.
5. We demand that the government prioritizes the welfare and development of all communities in Osun State, without bias or favoritism. The Ido-Osun Youth Forum will continue to advocate for the rights and interests of our people and we will not hesitate to take further actions if this decision is not reversed.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

God bless Osun State.

By Victor Ajibade