Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A fresh political storm has erupted in Osun State as the All Progressives Congress vehemently rejected Governor Ademola Adeleke's directive to rehabilitate the Olaiya Flyover in Osogbo, describing the move as a wasteful expenditure and an alleged scheme to create funds for vote-buying ahead of the August 15 governorship election. The governor had on Sunday, July 19, 2026, ordered the immediate rehabilitation of the bridge, citing concerns over its deteriorating condition, but the opposition party insisted that the flyover remains structurally sound and does not require any repairs.
Governor Adeleke, during an unscheduled inspection of the Olaiya Bridge, directed the Ministry of Works to assess the structure, carry out necessary cleaning, and fix all identified defects before the commissioning of the newly completed Okefia Flyover, another major infrastructure project undertaken by his administration. "The Ministry of Works should immediately act on this Olaiya Bridge. Let us clean it up. It is a state asset. We must ensure its proper maintenance. This should be done before we commission Okefia bridge," the governor said. He stressed that his administration remained committed to continuity in governance, adding, "I believe government is a continuum. All inherited projects are being completed by our government and all completed projects by the previous administrations must be appropriately maintained".
However, the Osun APC swiftly rejected the directive, accusing the governor of attempting to discredit the legacy of his predecessor, Adegboyega Oyetola, whose administration constructed the Olaiya Flyover. The APC spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, in a statement made available to journalists in Osogbo, dismissed the proposed rehabilitation as unnecessary and wasteful. "We consider the proposed rehabilitation of the flawless Olaiya Flyover by Governor Adeleke as a means of securing jobs for his political associates when the other vital sectors of the government are crying for urgent attention," Olabisi said. He further challenged the governor to explain to taxpayers why he intended to spend public funds on a bridge that he claimed had no defect. "Governor Adeleke should explain to the taxpayers in the state the genuine reasons that informed his decision to decide to waste their common patrimony on the Olaiya iconic bridge that has no defect," he added.
The APC doubled down on its criticism through its Governorship Campaign Council, with the Head of its Media and Publicity Committee, Engr. Oluremi Omowaiye, alleging that the rehabilitation plan was a desperate attempt by the governor to siphon public funds and create a slush fund for vote-buying ahead of the election. Omowaiye insisted that the flyover, constructed during the Oyetola administration, remains structurally sound and has maintained its engineering integrity despite what he described as repeated attempts by the Adeleke administration to discredit one of the previous government's legacy projects. "It is becoming increasingly obvious that Governor Adeleke is headed for a resounding defeat at the polls. Public feedback, independent surveys and the mood across the state have consistently shown that the electorate are tired of his administration after enduring anti-people policies and poor governance," Omowaiye said.
The APC also defended the quality of the flyover's construction, noting that the project was executed by Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Ltd under the supervision of COREN-certified engineers, with professional oversight by Advanced Engineering Consultants (AEC), and that comprehensive soil and material tests were conducted before the project was completed. The party further accused the Adeleke administration of awarding road contracts to firms it claimed lacked the requisite engineering expertise, contrasting the approach with that of the Oyetola administration, which it said prioritised engineering standards and public safety.
The Olaiya Bridge, located in the heart of Osogbo, is one of the state's major transport links, connecting several parts of the capital city and serving thousands of commuters daily. The rehabilitation directive comes as the Adeleke administration prepares to inaugurate the Okefia Flyover, one of its flagship infrastructure projects designed to ease traffic congestion and improve road connectivity within Osogbo. Since assuming office in November 2022, Adeleke has repeatedly stated that his administration would complete viable inherited projects while embarking on new infrastructure initiatives aimed at improving economic activities and the quality of life of residents across the state.
The latest disagreement between the state governor and the APC comes amid heightened political tensions ahead of the August 15 governorship election. Both parties have exchanged barbs over infrastructure spending, with the APC accusing the Adeleke administration of prioritising needless projects while neglecting critical sectors. As of the time of filing this report, the Osun State Government had not officially responded to the APC's latest allegations, though Governor Adeleke had earlier maintained that the proposed rehabilitation was part of his administration's commitment to maintaining public infrastructure.
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