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The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has questioned Governor Ademola Adeleke’s decision to restrict heavy-duty trucks from using the Olaiya Flyover in Osogbo, calling the move unnecessary and demanding evidence to support claims that the bridge is unsafe.
Speaking on behalf of the APC during a Wednesday briefing in Osogbo, party leaders suggested that Adeleke’s directive might be a precursor to broader plans by the current administration.
Adeleke had earlier instructed the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to prevent heavy trucks from crossing the Olaiya bridge, citing technical reports on safety concerns. His spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, released a statement confirming that the directive was based on these reports.
However, Oluremi Omowaiye, the former Osun State Commissioner for Works, disputed the claims of structural issues, defending the integrity of the project, which was completed during the administration of Gboyega Oyetola. Omowaiye challenged the current administration to provide technical evidence proving the bridge is substandard.
Omowaiye, now Executive Director of Project Implementation at the Federal Housing Authority, recounted the planning and execution process for the flyover, explaining that thorough evaluations, including environmental impact assessments and traffic counts, were conducted before construction began. He further noted that the project received approval from the Federal Ministry of Works as the road is federally managed.
He expressed surprise at Adeleke’s statements, noting that a recent visit to the area revealed it had been neglected, with solar lights malfunctioning and the surroundings poorly maintained. However, he stressed that this did not affect the bridge’s structural integrity.
Omowaiye emphasized that public funds must be wisely used and cautioned against any political motivations to demolish the flyover without credible evidence of faults. He called on engineers to present a technical report, including their Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) registration number, if they believed the bridge was defective.
In response, Oladele Bamiji, the Director of Media for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State, defended Adeleke’s decision, stating it was based on concerns raised by motorists and a lawmaker in the Osun State House of Assembly. He insisted that the governor’s actions were meant to safeguard lives, not to undermine political legacies.
Bamiji argued that protecting the safety of Osun residents was more important than preserving any political legacy, adding that if Adeleke had failed to act and something went wrong, critics would have been quick to blame his administration. He confirmed that the decision had the full support of the Osun PDP and was not politically motivated.
