Top Stories In Osun In 2024

Like every other part of the country, Osun State witnessed a potpourri of activities in the outgoing year across all spheres. Interestingly, no week went without a series of controversial topics to discuss in the media or a potential political development that mostly matches the predictions of various players in the industry.

In this report, Osun Defender presents the topical stories that dominated public discourse in the outgoing year.

Osun 2026: Omoluabi Progressives Strengthens Membership Base

During the year, Omoluabi Progressives, the leading political organisation in the state, began a membership registration for its members across the state.

The tendency also welcomed politicians from varying political divides that culminated in its regular meetings and galvanisation of new members.

With the unveiling of its major political move to reclaim Osun in 2026 set for early 2025, all eyes are on Omoluabi Progressives to declare where it is headed ahead of the next election.

Relocation of MKO Abiola Airport, Ido Osun

The planned relocation of the Moshood Abiola International Airport, Ido-Osun to Akoda-Ede, by Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, hugged the headlines in the state for a greater part of the last quarter of 2024.

The project, conceived since the colonial era, was said to be relocated to the Governor’s hometown after the government considered the site no longer viable for the project.

However, the decision was greeted with stiff resistance by the people of Ido-Osun, who alleged politics and nepotism as causes of the planned relocation. As at the time of this report, the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has halted processes on turning of sod at the new site, with further developments expected in the New Tear.

Controversy Over Structural Credibility Of Olaiya Flyover

The quality and structural integrity of the N3.2bn Olaiya flyover at the heart of Osogbo metropolis was also a major issue of public discourse in the year under review. Commissioned in 2022, the flyover has been a subject of political brickbats between the incumbent Ademola Adeleke administration and his predecessor, Gboyega Oyetola’s administration.

Osun Defender noted that for most parts of the year, discussions centered on the flyover due to the influx of heavy trucks on the infrastructure and the discovery of noticeable cracks, among other issues.

While the government is taking steps to address safety concerns on the bridge, it is expected that the bridge will continue to be a subject of discourse, especially as the next governorship election is just over a year from now.

Gale of Defections

Expectedly, politicians across political divides, notably from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), cross-carpeted, primarily to add value to the stamina of their new camps, ahead of the next guber poll, which is in less than two years.

Among those who quit the PDP in 2024 are Prince Dotun Babayemi, Hon. Kayode Oduoye, Elder Peter Babalola, and veteran politician Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun. On the APC end, the party has also lost some of its stakeholders and grassroots politicians to the ruling party. Interestingly, the Omoluabi Progressives tendency has also received new members from all levels of political associations and groups within the state.

The gale of defections will undoubtedly continue on a large scale in 2025.

Traditional Rulers

Osun in the outgoing year lost some of its prominent traditional rulers, among whom are Oba (Dr.) Adekunle Aromolaran, the 40th Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland, on Wednesday, September 11, after reigning for 42 years.

Aside Aromolaran, the state also lost other natural rulers, while the government also appointed and coronated new monarchs in line with the state chieftaincy laws.

The dust, however, is yet to settle on who will pilot the affairs of Ikirun in Ifelodun local government and other prominent towns in the state, whose stools have been vacant since their kings transited to eternal glory.