Osun Flyover Controversy Deepens As Structural Failure Sparks Political War

By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo

Osun Flyover Controversy Deepens As Structural Failure Sparks Political War
What began as a landmark infrastructure project celebrated as a symbol of urban renewal in Osun State has, within weeks, become the centre of a major political and engineering controversy.

Barely 23 days after Governor Ademola Adeleke commissioned the 672-metre Lameco Flyover in Osogbo, concerns over the project’s structural integrity emerged after a section of the bridge developed visible cracks and a depression following heavy rainfall on last week Friday.

The development has ignited fresh political exchanges between the ruling Accord Party and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), with both parties advancing conflicting narratives over what transpired at the multi-billion-naira project.

The Incident

The flyover, commissioned on July 1, 2026, at the Lameco junction in Osogbo, was conceived as one of the flagship infrastructure projects of the Adeleke administration to ease traffic congestion within the state capital.

However, motorists and residents woke on Friday to discover that a portion of one carriageway had subsided, with cracks appearing on the asphalt surface. The affected section immediately generated anxiety among road users, many of whom diverted to alternative routes over safety concerns.

A visit to the bridge showed that security personnel, including operatives of the Osun Amotekun Corps, had cordoned off the affected section to prevent vehicular and pedestrian access while assessments were expected to commence.

As of the time the incident became public, the Osun State Government had yet to issue an official statement explaining the cause of the structural defect or outlining remedial measures.

APC raises the alarm

The opposition APC described the incident as evidence of alleged poor workmanship. In a statement issued by its Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, the party claimed it had consistently questioned the competence of those handling the project and argued that the latest development vindicated its earlier criticisms.

The APC called on professional engineering and regulatory bodies, including the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (NICE), and the Association for Consulting Engineering in Nigeria (ACEN), to independently investigate the flyover and other major infrastructure projects executed by the state government.

According to the party, public safety should take precedence over politics, urging authorities to suspend the commissioning of similar projects pending comprehensive structural evaluations.

AMBO campaign committee lauds Olubadan’s earlier boycott of project inauguration

The Osun APC Governorship Campaign Council expressed grave concerns over an emerging safety disaster on the newly commissioned LAMECO Flyover in Osogbo, following reports and preliminary findings indicating serious structural defects on the multi-billion naira project. Former Commissioner for Works and Head, Media and Publicity, APC Governorship Campaign Council, Engr Oluremi Omowaiye said:

“There are reports of confirmed visible signs of structural failure on the flyover, including a deep pothole and other distress points that raise serious questions about the quality of construction and the integrity of the entire project. These disturbing developments, coming barely a month after the commissioning, are unacceptable and constitute a direct threat to the lives of innocent road users.

He further explained: “This unfortunate development has vindicated the decision of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja, a distinguished engineer, to distance himself from the commissioning ceremony despite being invited by the Ademola Adeleke administration. The revered monarch neither attended the event nor sent a representative.

Omowaiye noted that the Osun APC had publicly advised Kabiyesi not to allow his impeccable professional reputation and standing as an engineer to be exploited by the state government in an attempt to confer credibility on a project whose quality had already become a subject of public concern. Today, events have proved beyond doubt that the royal father exercised sound professional judgment.

Accord Party alleges sabotage

The ruling Accord Party rejected suggestions that the development resulted from poor construction, instead alleging that opposition elements were orchestrating acts of vandalism against government projects. In a statement signed by its State Chairman, Pastor Victor Akande, the party claimed it had received credible reports indicating deliberate attacks on public infrastructure across the state.

The party alleged that some political actors, unable to match the government’s performance through electoral competition, had resorted to sabotaging roads and other public facilities in an attempt to undermine public confidence in the administration.

While not directly linking the flyover incident to vandalism, the party maintained that several government projects had recently been targeted and called on security agencies to investigate thoroughly and prosecute anyone found culpable, regardless of political affiliation. The Accord Party also appealed to residents, traditional rulers, community leaders and youth groups to assist in protecting public infrastructure across the state.

Engineering questions await answers

Beyond the political exchanges, engineering experts say determining the actual cause of the structural failure will require detailed technical investigations.

Civil engineering specialists generally note that surface depressions or pavement failures on bridge approaches may result from several factors, including inadequate soil compaction, drainage deficiencies, foundation settlement, construction defects or external interference. Without official technical findings, however, any conclusion on the exact cause remains speculative.

Experts argue that only independent
structural assessments conducted by qualified regulatory bodies can establish whether the problem originated from design shortcomings, construction quality, environmental conditions or possible acts of sabotage.

Public safety takes centre stage

For many residents, the immediate concern is not political blame but public safety. Motorists who frequently use the bridge have urged the government to expedite action on repairs and provide transparent information regarding the condition of the structure. The incident has also renewed public conversations about quality assurance, project supervision and post-construction monitoring of major infrastructure across the country.

With significant public resources committed to capital projects, citizens increasingly expect governments to ensure that completed infrastructure meets the highest engineering standards before being opened for public use.

Awaiting official position

As public debate intensifies, attention is now focused on the Osun State Government’s expected response and the outcome of any technical investigation.

Whether the defect resulted from construction challenges, environmental conditions, vandalism or other factors will ultimately depend on the findings of qualified engineering professionals.

Until then, the Lameco Flyover remains not only a critical transportation asset but also the latest flashpoint in Osun’s heated political atmosphere ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

©: New Telegraph