Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration in Osun State has provided reasons for the relocation of the state’s airport project from Ido-Osun to Akoda, Ede, citing technical challenges, particularly an inadequate runway.
The decision sparked protests on Tuesday from residents of Ido-Osun in Egbedore Local Government Area, who opposed the move to Ede, which is Adeleke’s hometown.
Lai Oriowo, a member of the airport project’s technical committee, explained that the relocation was driven by technical considerations rather than political motivations. He stated that the original site at Ido-Osun, covering about 387 hectares, had several issues that made it unsuitable for an airport.
“The existing runway at Ido-Osun, which is just 1.67km long, does not meet the necessary standards,” Oriowo said. “A minimum runway length of 4.8km is required for a standard airport. The required length for a class 4E aircraft runway is 3,600m x 45m, along with additional space for safety zones, which the current site could not accommodate.”
He further explained that using the Ido-Osun site would require the relocation of Adeleke Secondary School and the displacement of nearby settlements. Additionally, the infrastructure, including a culvert and drainage systems, was inadequate for an airport’s needs.
Oriowo added that key airport structures like the terminal, control tower, and fire services buildings were poorly situated in relation to the runway, and access to the airport was limited to only one road.
However, the state government has announced that the existing airport at Ido-Osun will still serve a purpose, being managed by the Air Force as a training facility and alternate airport, in accordance with an agreement between the state and the Air Force.
Despite this explanation, the decision faced criticism from Adewale Adebayo, Chairman of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Osun, who accused the Governor of nepotism. Adebayo stated that the relocation of the airport to Ede was undemocratic and made it seem as though the Governor was prioritizing his hometown over other communities in the state.
“The airport project, initially planned for Ido-Osun, has been a key infrastructure initiative aimed at boosting transportation, investment, and economic development in Osun State,” he said.