Gubernatorial aspirant in the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election, Kayode Olubunmi Ojo, has lauded the commencement of commercial flight operations at the Ekiti State Agro-Allied and Cargo Airport, describing it as a landmark achievement with far-reaching economic benefits for the state.
Speaking through a statement signed by his media aide, Oyinloye Adeola, Ojo said the launch of commercial services marked a major milestone in Ekiti’s development trajectory, noting that the airport would significantly boost connectivity, stimulate agro-allied industries, promote tourism, and attract both local and foreign investment.
He said, “The realisation of the Agro-Allied and Cargo Airport project, and the sight of commercial planes touching down and taking off, is a moment of pride for every Ekiti son and daughter. It represents a critical piece of infrastructure that will serve as a catalyst for economic growth, especially in agro-allied industries and tourism.”
However, the APC governorship aspirant, who is a former Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, and until September 26, 2025, served as Pro-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, expressed strong displeasure over what he described as the Ekiti State Government’s reported denial of his involvement in aspects of the airport’s development.
He questioned the state government’s alleged refusal to acknowledge his contributions, particularly toward the construction of a multi-million-naira fire station at the airport, and his stated intention to support other critical infrastructure within the facility and across the state.
According to him, such denials could discourage prospective investors and undermine collective development efforts.
“It is contradictory and frankly confusing for any government to distance itself from contributions of other Ekiti sons and daughters to this monumental project, regardless of who initiated it or the source of the primary funding,” Ojo stated.
He specifically referenced remarks attributed to the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Yinka Oyebode, during the 2025 Press Week and public lecture of the Ekiti State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists on August 28, 2025, where his claims were reportedly described as “false, misleading, and self-glorification.”
The aspirant advised the CPS to verify the facts from the former Project Manager of the airport, Air Vice Marshal Ojuawo (rtd), now a serving member of the House of Representatives, whom he said also deserved commendation for his role in the project.
He maintained that any genuine contribution, “even if it is only a bag of cement donated out of pocket, was worthy of acknowledgment rather than what he termed as political blasphemy and fabricated falsehood.”
In the same vein, he commended the Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Afe Babalola, for donating navigational equipment valued at $1.6m and constructing a 100-car capacity parking lot worth N356.7m at the airport.
He also appreciated the current administration for prioritising expenditure on the airport project while acknowledging previous administrations for their roles. He added that the airport was first conceived during the administration of Segun Oni, advanced under Mr Ayodele Fayose, and driven forward under Dr Kayode Fayemi.
He urged the present administration to rise above political differences and embrace the airport as a collective asset belonging to all Ekiti people, stressing that projects of such magnitude require broad-based collaboration and partnership.
“The Ekiti Airport is an asset of the people, not the property of any political party or individual,” he said, adding that attention should be focused on maximising the airport’s utility and ensuring its long-term sustainability rather than engaging in disputes over individual contributions.
