New Flyover in Osun Causes Political Tension Before Elections

---
Barely three weeks after its opening, the Lameco Flyover in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, is at the center of a new political disagreement. A part of the bridge has shown structural problems, leading the state government to close that section while they investigate.

This issue has sparked a heated exchange between the ruling Accord Party and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) as the 15 August governorship election approaches. Both parties are blaming each other for either sabotage or shoddy construction.

The 672-metre flyover was inaugurated by Governor Ademola Adeleke on 1 July. It is part of the state’s N100 billion infrastructure plan aimed at improving transport networks. The flyover developed visible cracks and damage after heavy rainfall.

Response from Osun Government

According to PREMIUM TIMES, the damaged part of the flyover has been closed to traffic while repairs begin. The state government is also investigating the cause of the damage.

Governor Adeleke released a statement on X after he visited the damaged area with engineers from the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure. He called the incident an act of vandalism aimed at undermining his administration’s projects.

“I inspected the vandalised section of the Lameco Flyover in Osogbo. I commend the hardworking engineers from the Ministry of Works who have swiftly mobilised to the site to ensure immediate repairs,” said the governor.

He mentioned that he got a briefing from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Bashiru Bello, about the circumstances of the damage. He has ordered security agencies to find and punish anyone responsible.

“It is unfortunate that some saboteurs, whose sole objective is to undermine our developmental strides and destroy the legacy of this administration, would resort to attacking public infrastructure built with taxpayers’ resources,” Mr. Adeleke said.

In a video from the inspection, Mr. Bello rejected claims of structural failure. He said early findings showed that the flyover was vandalised. He explained that engineers found two drilled holes covered with cloth to hide them, which allowed water to accumulate beneath the surface.

“They placed cloth on the holes, so passers-by did not notice them. The water started accumulating underneath,” Mr. Bello said.

He added that when they cut through the asphalt, they discovered trapped water. He insisted that the road met the required standard, with asphalt thickness of 120, 125 millimetres, more than the 100-millimetre requirement for the project.

In an interview, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Abiodun Bankole, said the government has started looking into the damage. He assured residents that the results would be made public after technical checks.

APC Points Out Structural Issues

The APC dismissed the vandalism claim. They argue that the defects show poor construction quality.

A statement from Omowaiye Oluremi, Head of Media and Publicity for Osun APC Governorship Campaign Council, said initial observations show structural defects, including a deep pothole and other distress points that raise concerns about the project’s integrity.

The council advised drivers to avoid the flyover until independent engineers confirm it is safe.

“These disturbing developments, coming barely a month after the commissioning, are unacceptable and constitute a direct threat to the lives of innocent road users,” the statement read.

The party’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, said this situation proves their long-standing worries about the quality of projects by the Adeleke administration.

“We have consistently raised concerns about the quality of projects being executed by this administration. The fact that a bridge commissioned barely weeks ago has already developed defects is disturbing,” he said.

The APC called on various engineering bodies to assess the flyover and other ongoing projects in the state.

Accord Party Responds

The Accord Party in Osun, however, supports Governor Adeleke. They accuse some members of the APC of sabotaging public infrastructure to discredit the administration before the elections.

Victor Akande, the party’s state chairman, claimed that the damage was part of a plan to undermine the government’s achievements.

“These acts are not ordinary criminal activities but appear to be part of a calculated attempt by desperate elements in the opposition APC to undermine and discredit the remarkable achievements of the current administration ahead of the forthcoming governorship election,” Mr. Akande said.

He urged security agencies to investigate and punish anyone responsible, regardless of their political connections.

Political Tensions Rise Before Elections

This latest disagreement adds to the rising political tensions in the state ahead of the August elections.

Recently, the APC and the ruling Accord Party have accused each other of supporting political violence, attacks on party supporters, shootings, and attempts to hijack Permanent Voter Card distribution centers. There have been several reports of politically linked violence across the state, with both parties exchanging accusations as security agencies continue their investigations.

The Lameco Flyover is part of Governor Adeleke’s main road infrastructure program, which includes flyovers in Osogbo, Ile-Ife, Owode-Ede, and Ikirun. This program aims to reduce traffic jams and improve transport in the state.