The Owa Obokun of Ilesa, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, has cautioned Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke against perceived bias in the demolition of buildings along the Ilesa road construction project. The warning comes amid growing tensions over the ongoing dualisation of the Ilesa road. In April 2024, Governor Adeleke initiated the dualisation of Ereja road to the express junction. As part of the project, numerous structures along the planned route, including religious centers and private residences, were marked for demolition.....CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE
The demolition process proceeded without issues until the contractor attempted to demolish the Central Mosque, which had been previously marked for removal.
The action sparked outrage, prompting the Osun State Government to assure the public that the mosque would be spared.
Subsequently, the road design was altered to create a bend around the mosque, resulting in the marking of previously unaffected houses on the opposite side for demolition.
The decision led to protests within the community, with some churches alleging bias by the state government, as their buildings had already been demolished before the mosque controversy arose.
Following a stakeholders’ meeting, Oba Aromolaran, represented by the Obaala of Ijesaland, High Chief Ibitoye Adeniyi, asked the contractors handling the project to liaise with the palace with a view to assisting them execute the project effectively.
“Our concern over the ongoing dualisation projects is the alleged selective demolition of properties marked for such action. We have heard that some places of worship, including the mosque around Ereja square have been spared while some that were not marked at all are about to be demolished. These issues are about to create a crisis which the palace is not comfortable with.
“We therefore appeal to the contractors and the State Government to, in the interest of Ilesa town, ensure objectivity in the execution of the project. We don’t want any religious crisis whatsoever. We also appeal to Governor Adeleke to help talk the contractor into ensuring timely delivery of the project”, he said.
The monarch also appealed to Ilesa residents, including home owners to remain calm as the matter would be resolved amicably to ensure contractors adhere strictly to the contract specification.
Also speaking, the Alagbeda of Agbeda-Ijesa, Oba Soji Adeniyi, stressed that the monarch invited the contractors to give them support towards successfully executing the project.
