The Federal Government has indefinitely suspended the planned relocation of the Osun State International Airport from Ido-Osun to Ede, following widespread protests and controversies.
Governor Ademola Adeleke had scheduled the foundation-laying ceremony for December 16, 2024, in Ede, citing land encroachment, gullies, and an inadequate runway at the Ido-Osun site as reasons for the move.
However, the Ido-Osun community staged protests, labeling the decision nepotistic and undemocratic. Critics argued that the relocation prioritized personal interests over public benefit.
In a letter dated December 6, 2024, signed by Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Aviation, the government directed the suspension of the project until all petitions and disputes over the existing airstrip are resolved.
The letter emphasized the federal ownership of the Ido-Osun airstrip, its inclusion in the Ministry’s 2024 budget, and the need for alignment between state and federal efforts to ensure judicious use of funds.
This development marks a setback for Governor Adeleke’s administration and has reignited tensions between the Ido-Osun and Ede communities.
