- Adeleke commissions dualised road
By John Dike, Osogbo
Timi of Ede, Oba Adesola Lawal, on Monday debunked allegations that he deliberately snubbed the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), declaring that he was not in Ede when the opposition candidate visited his palace.
He also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that the August 15 governorship election in Osun State is conducted in a free, fair and peaceful atmosphere, urging the Federal Government not to interfere with the will of the electorate.
Oba Lawal spoke at the commissioning of the newly dualised Akoda–Baptist High School–Oke Gada Road in Ede, where Governor Ademola Adeleke formally inaugurated the multi-billion-naira project as part of his administration’s infrastructure renewal programme.
His remarks followed claims by some APC supporters that he avoided receiving the party’s governorship candidate during a recent visit to Ede.
Refuting the allegation, the monarch explained that he had travelled to Offa, Kwara State, to attend the wedding ceremony of the daughter of the Chief Imam of Offa on the day the APC delegation visited.
According to him, he met AMBO at the event in Offa, where the APC candidate exchanged pleasantries with him.
“I was at a function where the Imam of Offa was conducting the marriage ceremony of his daughter when AMBO came with his entourage. They pointed him to me, and he came to greet me,” Oba Lawal said.
He insisted that reports claiming he fled the palace to avoid receiving the APC delegation were false and intended to mislead the public.
“They are carrying a campaign of calumny that when they came to Ede, I ran away from the palace.”
The monarch further recalled that while attending the event in Offa, he was surprised when some supporters of the APC candidate allegedly joined a musician in singing that “Ede’s light should be put off and that of Ikire switched on.”
He described the development as unfortunate, saying he prayed to God immediately after returning home.
“I was surprised when his followers joined the musician to sing that they should put out Ede’s light and put on that of Ikire. When I got home, I spoke to God to end their reign and God did that immediately,” he said.
Oba Lawal also expressed disappointment that some indigenes of Ede allegedly joined in celebrating the song.
“What saddens me is that I still saw some Ede people climbing the stage that day to dance. Is that right? The reign of Ademola Adeleke can’t be put to an end.”
The ancestors of Ede are backing him, he added.
The monarch appealed to President Tinubu to allow Osun people determine who governs the state without external interference.
“We are using this opportunity to appeal to President Bola Tinubu not to rig the governorship election; he should leave us alone and allow each of us to vote where we so desire,” he said.
Expressing confidence in the electoral prospects of the Accord Party, the traditional ruler declared that the people of Ede would mobilise massively for the forthcoming election.
“My people of Ede, this August 15 election, we must vote massively. We will use Ede’s votes to make up any deficit from other local government areas of Osun State. We are going to fill the ballot boxes to the brim. God has strategically positioned us on top of the ballot,” he stated.
Earlier, Governor Ademola Adeleke commissioned the dualised Akoda–Baptist High School–Oke Gada Road, describing the project as another landmark achievement of his administration and a fulfilment of his campaign promises to the people of Osun State.
The governor said the road is one of the most strategic transport corridors in Ede, linking major residential communities, educational institutions, markets and adjoining highways leading to Osogbo and Ibadan.
“Today is another historic day for Osun State and the good people of Ede. This is a promise kept and this is governance that touches the heart,” Adeleke said
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According to the governor, the dual carriageway will significantly reduce traffic congestion, improve safety for motorists and pedestrians, enhance commercial activities and strengthen security through the installation of solar-powered streetlights.
He noted that Ede had for many years suffered from poor road infrastructure, traffic bottlenecks and flooding, adding that the completed project would transform movement within the ancient town.
“Ede is a town of scholars, warriors and entrepreneurs. For so long, our people have suffered traffic congestion, flooding and poor road infrastructure. With this dualised road, movement within Ede will be faster and safer, businesses will flourish, students and workers will commute more easily, while security will improve through the installation of solar lighting,” he said.
Adeleke stressed that the project forms part of his administration’s broader infrastructure renewal agenda spread across the state.
“What we are doing in Osogbo, we are doing in Ila, Iwo, Ile-Ife, Ilesa and now in Ede. Our engineers have delivered quality work in line with the best engineering standards, and I commend the Ministry of Works and the contractors for a job well done,” the governor added.
He expressed appreciation to the Timi of Ede and the traditional council for their continuous support, while also thanking residents of the town for their patience throughout the construction period.
Also speaking at the event, the Director of Highways in the Osun State Ministry of Works, Engr. Maruf Ojebode, disclosed that the road project was conceived to permanently address traffic congestion and flooding challenges that had affected the area for decades.
He explained that the contract was awarded in November 2023 with a completion period of one year and executed in two phases.
According to him, the first phase covering 5.4 kilometres from Akoda to Baptist High School was handled by Messrs Great Enyork Technology Ltd, while the second phase spanning 3.6 kilometres from Baptist High School to Oke Gada was executed by Messrs Engineec Integrated Engineering Ltd.
He disclosed that both phases were completed in December 2024 after extensive geotechnical investigations, traffic studies and hydraulic analyses were conducted to ensure compliance with both Federal Government and Osun State engineering standards.
Ojebode said the project consists of dual 9.3-metre carriageways, 1.5-metre pedestrian walkways on both sides, a landscaped central median and solar-powered streetlights designed to improve visibility and security.
He urged residents to protect the infrastructure by refraining from dumping refuse into drainage channels or converting pedestrian walkways into trading areas.
“I appeal to the good people of Ede to protect this road. There should be no dumping of refuse in the drainage channels and no trading on the pedestrian walkways. With proper use and maintenance, this road will serve the people of Ede for decades,” he said.
The Director expressed satisfaction with the quality of the completed project, declaring that it had met all approved engineering specifications.
“On behalf of the engineering and technical team, I am proud to report that the dualisation of the Akoda–Cottage–Oke Gada Road is 100 per cent completed and meets all engineering standards and specifications. It is now ready for commissioning and public use,” Ojebode stated.
The governor thereafter formally declared the road open for public use, describing it as another milestone in his administration’s commitment to providing durable infrastructure capable of improving the socio-economic development of communities across Osun State.
