Bridge Damage Triggers Blame Game
The newly inaugurated Lameco Flyover in Osogbo, capital of Osun State, has become the center of a heated political dispute after a section of the bridge showed structural damage, forcing the state government to close part of the facility while investigations are underway. The incident, occurring less than a month after the flyover was commissioned on 1 July, has escalated tensions between the ruling Accord Party and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 15 August governorship election.
Details of the Defect
The 672-metre flyover, part of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s N100 billion multi-flyover infrastructure master plan aimed at easing traffic congestion, developed visible cracks and a damaged carriageway section following heavy rainfall. The affected area has been cordoned off to traffic, with repair work already initiated. The state government confirmed that an investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the defect.
Governor Adeleke Alleges Vandalism
During an inspection of the damaged section alongside engineers from the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Governor Adeleke described the incident as an act of vandalism intended to undermine his administration’s infrastructure projects. In a statement shared on X, he said, “I inspected the vandalised section of the Lameco Flyover in Osogbo. I commend the hardworking engineers from the Ministry of Works who have swiftly mobilised to the site to ensure immediate repairs.” The governor added that he had received a briefing from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Bashiru Bello, on the circumstances surrounding the damage and directed security agencies to identify and prosecute those responsible. He stated, “It is unfortunate that some saboteurs, whose sole objective is to undermine our developmental strides and destroy the legacy of this administration, would resort to attacking public infrastructure built with taxpayers’ resources.”
Ministry Official Supports Vandalism Theory
In a circulated video of the inspection, Mr. Bello dismissed claims of structural failure, asserting that preliminary findings indicated vandalism. He explained that engineers discovered two drilled holes deliberately blocked with cloth to prevent visibility, causing water to drain into the laterite beneath the asphalt. “They placed cloth on the holes, so passers-by did not notice them. The water started accumulating underneath,” Mr. Bello said. He added that cutting through the asphalt revealed trapped water on the laterite layer and maintained that the road met required standards, with asphalt thickness measuring 120–125 millimetres, exceeding the 100-millimetre specification for the project.
Government Pledges Transparent Investigation
Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Abiodun Bankole, stated in an interview that the government had commenced an investigation into the cause of the damage and assured residents that findings would be made public after technical assessments. He emphasized the government’s commitment to transparency in addressing the issue.
APC Flags Structural Concerns
The APC rejected the vandalism claim, arguing that the defects pointed to poor construction quality. A statement from Omowaiye Oluremi, Head of Media and Publicity for the Osun APC Governorship Campaign Council, said preliminary observations indicated structural defects, including a deep pothole and other distress points raising concerns about the project’s integrity. The council advised motorists to avoid the flyover until independent structural engineers certified it safe. “These disturbing developments, coming barely a month after the commissioning, are unacceptable and constitute a direct threat to the lives of innocent road users,” the statement read. Similarly, the party’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, said the development validated the opposition’s long-standing concerns over the quality of projects executed by the Adeleke administration. “We have consistently raised concerns about the quality of projects being executed by this administration. The fact that a bridge commissioned barely weeks ago has already developed defects is disturbing,” he said.
APC Calls for Independent Assessment
The APC called on 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 assess the flyover and other ongoing infrastructure projects in the state. This request aims to ensure public safety and restore confidence in the state’s infrastructure.
Accord Party Backs Governor, Accuses APC
The Accord Party in Osun supported Governor Adeleke’s position, accusing elements within the APC of deliberately sabotaging public infrastructure to discredit the administration before the election. State Chairman of the party, Victor Akande, alleged that the damage was part of a calculated effort to undermine the government’s achievements. “These acts are not ordinary criminal activities but appear to be part of a calculated attempt by desperate elements in the opposition APC to undermine and discredit the remarkable achievements of the current administration ahead of the forthcoming governorship election,” Mr. Akande said. He urged security agencies to investigate and prosecute anyone found responsible, regardless of political affiliation.
Political Tensions Escalate Ahead of Election
The dispute over the flyover adds to growing political tensions in the state as the August governorship poll approaches. In recent weeks, the APC and the ruling Accord Party have traded accusations of sponsoring political violence, attacks on party supporters, shootings, and attempts to hijack Permanent Voter Card (PVC) distribution centres. Several politically linked violent incidents have been reported across the state, with both parties blaming each other while security agencies continue investigations.
Flyover's Role in Infrastructure Plan
The Lameco Flyover is a key component of Governor Adeleke’s flagship road infrastructure programme, which includes flyover projects in Osogbo, Ile-Ife, Owode-Ede, and Ikirun. The programme aims to ease traffic congestion and improve transportation across the state. The current controversy has cast a shadow over these projects, with the outcome of the investigation likely to influence public opinion ahead of the election.
