New Osun flyover defect sparks fresh political row ahead of governorship poll The Lameco Flyover in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, has become the focal point of a growing political dispute following reports of structural issues emerging shortly after its inauguration. Barely three weeks after the 672-metre flyover was opened by Governor Ademola Adeleke on 1 July as part of the state's ambitious N100 billion multi-flyover infrastructure initiative, sections of the structure began showing signs of deterioration. Heavy rainfall reportedly exacerbated the problem, leading to visible cracks and damage on the carriageway. As a result, parts of the flyover have been closed to traffic while investigations into the cause of the defect proceed. The state government has attributed the damage to acts of vandalism, asserting that the incident was an attempt to undermine the administration’s infrastructure projects. Governor Adeleke, upon inspecting the affected area alongside engineers from the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, expressed disappointment over the sabotage, which he claimed aimed to disrupt the progress of the administration. He commended the efforts of the engineers who have begun repair work and instructed security agencies to identify and prosecute those responsible. According to the governor, the damage was caused by deliberate acts of sabotage rather than structural failure. During the inspection, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Bashiru Bello, stated that preliminary findings suggested the flyover had been vandalized. Engineers discovered two drilled holes intentionally covered with cloth to prevent visibility, allowing water to accumulate beneath the laterite layer. Bello emphasized that the asphalt thickness met the required specifications, dismissing claims of structural failure. He maintained that the road was constructed according to standards and that the issue stemmed from deliberate interference. The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) has challenged the state government's narrative, arguing that the defects indicate poor construction quality. The APC's campaign council accused the administration of negligence, pointing to a deep pothole and other distress points as evidence of substandard workmanship. The party urged motorists to avoid using the flyover until independent structural engineers confirm its safety. The APC's statements underscore the deepening rift between the ruling Accord Party and the opposition ahead of the 15 August governorship election. Separately, the campaign team of Governor Adeleke has raised concerns over the treatment of his supporters by the Nigeria Police Force. Spokesperson Pelumi Olajengbesi alleged that over 86 members of the ruling party had been arbitrarily arrested without legal grounds, with some detained in Abuja and others transferred to correctional centers. The campaign accused the police of conducting politically motivated raids to intimidate opposition supporters. However, the Osun State Police Command refuted these claims, stating that only six individuals had been arrested based on credible intelligence. In response to mounting pressure, the Nigeria Police Force has deployed a new Commissioner of Police, Samuel Erale, to oversee the upcoming governorship election in Osun State. This marks the second such redeployment in recent months, following the removal of the previous commissioner, Ibrahim Gotan, due to accusations of partisanship. The new commissioner will take charge temporarily, pending the completion of the election. The move comes amidst ongoing tensions between the state government and the police, particularly regarding the controversial raid on the residence of the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, which the administration described as politically motivated. The Accord Party has formally petitioned President Bola Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police over what it describes as a pattern of harassment and politically motivated arrests targeting its members and officials. The party alleges that over 100 of its leaders, candidates, and supporters have been detained without formal charges, raising concerns about the neutrality of security agencies. The party has called for the immediate removal of the current commissioner of police, citing his alleged bias in handling election-related matters. As the governorship election approaches, political tensions continue to escalate, with both the ruling party and the opposition vying for public support. The situation highlights the challenges of ensuring a fair and transparent electoral process in the face of increasing political polarization and institutional distrust. With the polls drawing near, the outcome of these disputes will likely shape the political landscape of Osun State for years to come.
7 reports
Premium Times NigeriaIndependentConservativeFactual 75Objective 504 days agoA section of the newly inaugurated Lameco Flyover in Osogbo, Osun State, developed structural defects shortly after its inauguration on 1 July, leading to partial closure for repairs. The incident has intensified political tensions between the ruling Accord Party and the opposition APC ahead of the 15 August governorship election, with accusations of sabotage and poor construction exchanged between the parties. Governor Ademola Adeleke blamed the damage on vandalism, citing deliberate acts to undermine infrastructure development, while officials from the Ministry of Works attributed the issue to deliberate tampering with drainage systems, emphasizing that the flyover meets technical standards.
Bias read (Conservative): The article frames the incident as an intentional act of sabotage against the governor's administration, using strong language such as 'vandalism' and 'undermine our developmental strides.' Governor Adeleke's statement directly accuses opponents of undermining public infrastructure, which aligns a右翼
Why factuality (75): The article accurately reports the inauguration of the Lameco flyover and mentions its length as 672 meters, aligning with the primary source. However, it introduces unverified claims about structural defects and political controversy shortly after the inauguration, which are not mentioned in the pr
Why objectivity (50): The article presents a biased perspective by attributing the structural issues to political sabotage and framing the situation as a 'political row' ahead of the election. It leans toward the governor's position without adequately representing opposing viewpoints or providing balanced analysis.
The PunchIndependentProgressiveFactual 70Objective 557 days agoThe Osun State Government has temporarily closed the newly opened Lameco Flyover in Osogbo due to a structural defect discovered just weeks after its opening. During a visit by The PUNCH, one lane was cordoned off, and social media videos showed visible cracks on the bridge. The incident has sparked a political dispute, with the Accord Party accusing the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) of sabotaging public infrastructure, claiming it is part of a strategy to undermine Governor Ademola Adeleke's administration ahead of upcoming elections. In contrast, the APC Governorship Campaign Council disputes the sabotage claim, stating that preliminary assessments indicate structural flaws in the project and raising concerns about construction quality and safety. They also noted that the Olubadan of Ibadanland had declined to commission the project, which they argue has now been validated by the incident.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the incident as a political conflict between the ruling party (Accord Party) and the opposition (APC), emphasizing the accusation of sabotage as a politically motivated act aimed at undermining the governor's administration. The language used by the Accord Party suggests a strong,
Why factuality (70): The article accurately reports the closure of the Lameco Flyover due to structural defects, which is not explicitly mentioned in the primary source but is a logical consequence of the reported issues. It also references the political tensions, which are not detailed in the original document but are
Why objectivity (55): The article presents the Accord Party's perspective without giving equal weight to the APC's viewpoint. The language used, such as 'calculated attempt by desperate elements in the opposition,' suggests a bias in favor of the current administration.
The PunchIndependentProgressiveFactual 50Objective 502 days ago Osun poll: Adeleke campaign group seeks release of detained supportersThe campaign team of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke accused the Nigeria Police Force of detaining over 86 supporters without legal grounds, claiming the arrests were politically motivated to intimidate opposition voters ahead of the governorship election. Campaign spokesperson Pelumi Olajengbesi stated that detainees were transferred to correctional centers without charges and criticized the police commissioner for compromising electoral integrity. The police command countered by stating only six individuals were arrested based on credible intelligence. The incident highlights tensions around the upcoming election and concerns about due process.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the arrests as politically motivated and emphasizes the campaign's claim of unjustified detentions, using strong language like 'targeting members of the Accord Party' and 'compromised electoral process.' While the police respond with factual rebuttals, the overall tone leans left,
Why factuality (50): The article discusses the arrest of Accord supporters and allegations of police bias, which is unrelated to the flyover inauguration. While it provides some factual details about the arrests, it does not mention the flyover or the governor's speech about infrastructure protection.
Why objectivity (50): The article uses strong language like 'politically motivated,' 'targeting members of the Accord Party,' and 'compromised the integrity of the electoral process.' This framing appears to favor the Accord Party's position and lacks balance by not providing the police's response or evidence of wrongdoi
Vanguard NigeriaIndependentCenterFactual 50Objective 507 days agoAhead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, Nigeria, the Accord Party and the local police command exchanged accusations regarding the neutrality of security forces. The Accord Party's chairman, Pastor Victor Akande, claimed that the police were shielding suspected criminals while targeting members of rival groups, such as transport unions, through harassment and selective arrests. He called for an independent investigation by the Inspector-General of Police into alleged misconduct related to recent violence in the state. In response, the police denied these claims, asserting their commitment to professionalism, impartiality, and adherence to the rule of law. They emphasized that arrests were made based on credible evidence rather than media reports or political pressure, and stated that several suspects had been arrested and charged for planning further acts of violence.
Bias read (Center): The article presents both sides of the dispute between the Accord Party and the police without overtly favoring either. It includes direct quotes from both parties, allowing readers to form their own conclusions. There is no evident bias in the language or framing of the report.
Why factuality (50): The article discusses the political tensions between the Accord Party and the Police Command, which is unrelated to the Lameco flyover. Since it does not mention the flyover or its inauguration, it cannot be evaluated for accuracy regarding that specific event.
Why objectivity (50): The article presents both sides of the argument without overt bias. However, the language used by both parties could be seen as somewhat confrontational, suggesting a degree of tension in the reporting.
Premium Times NigeriaIndependentCenter10 hr. ago Nigerian police deploy new CP to oversee Osun governorship pollThe Nigeria Police Force has deployed a new Commissioner of Police, Samuel Erale, to oversee the upcoming August 15 governorship election in Osun State, replacing Ibrahim Gotan. This decision follows months of pressure on Gotan due to accusations of partisanship and poor management of election security. Gotan was reportedly redeployed to a central role in the national police headquarters, just days after the arrest of the state’s Secretary to the Government (SSG) during a controversial raid linked to vote-buying allegations. The state government and ruling Accord Party accused the police of targeting officials politically, while the police maintained the operation was lawful. Civil society groups and political parties had previously criticized Gotan’s impartiality, leading to protests and formal complaints against him.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced account of the controversy surrounding the police commissioner's redeployment, including criticisms from both the state government and ruling party, as well as the police force's defense of their actions. It does not overtly favor one side but reports on the competing
The PunchIndependentProgressive19 hr. ago Accord petitions Tinubu, IG over alleged police harassmentThe Accord party has filed a petition against President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, and other stakeholders, alleging that police officers harassed, intimidated, and arrested its members and government officials ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State. The party claims approximately 100 of its leaders, candidates, members, and supporters were arrested and detained, with some transferred to Abuja. The National Chairman, Maxwell Mgbudem, accused the police of acting with political motives to disrupt the party's campaign efforts and undermine the election's integrity. He criticized the lack of action by security agencies against attackers targeting the party's campaign infrastructure and called for intervention from national leaders and international bodies to protect democratic processes.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the police actions as politically motivated interference in electoral processes, aligning with left-leaning critiques of authoritarian practices. It emphasizes the suppression of opposition voices and the failure of security agencies to uphold democratic norms, which reflects a左翼的
Premium Times NigeriaIndependentProgressive23 hr. ago Osun 2026: Accord Party petitions Tinubu, IGP over alleged police intimidationAhead of the 15 August governorship election in Osun State, the Accord Party has filed a petition against President Bola Tinubu, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, and others, alleging that the police have engaged in politically motivated arrests and intimidation targeting its members. The party claims that approximately 100 of its leaders, candidates, members, and supporters have been arrested, with some reportedly transferred to Abuja for investigation. The petition follows a police raid on the residence of Secretary to the State Government Teslim Igbalaye, which resulted in the recovery of cash and electoral materials. The state government has denied the allegations, calling the raid illegal and politically motivated. The party has also called for the removal of the state’s Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, citing alleged partisanship. Governor Ademola Adeleke, running under the Accord Party, faces Bola Oyebamiji of the APC in the election.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the police actions as politically motivated and highlights the accusations against the ruling party, suggesting potential bias toward the opposition. It emphasizes the alleged intimidation and lack of impartiality from law enforcement, which aligns with a left-leaning perspective.
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