Five federal lawmakers representing Osun State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress have commended President Bola Tinubu for approving Federal road projects worth N700 billion in the state, while cautioning against what they described as misinformation surrounding the projects.

The lawmakers, Senator Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East), Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi (Osun Central), Oluwole Oke (Oriade/Obokun Federal Constituency), Taofeek Ajilesoro (Ife Federal Constituency), and Olusanya Omirin (Ijesa Federal Constituency), made this known in a statement issued in Osogbo on Saturday.

They said the projects were secured through legislative engagements and presidential approval, urging Governor Ademola Adeleke to avoid conflicting claims regarding their origin and execution.

“In 2024, Governor Ademola Adeleke met with Minister of Works, HE David Umahi, and requested a refund for Federal roads his government rehabilitated, particularly the Ede-Ofatedo road and Ikirun-Ila-Odo dualisation road. It is extremely saddening that the government is sharing pictures taken in 2024 on social media to represent recent developments,” they said.

The lawmakers also detailed their role in facilitating federal road interventions in the state.

“Last year, Senator Fadahunsi and Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi met with Mr President and requested the reconstruction and dualisation of the Ibadan–Ife–Ilesa–Akure–Owo road. A motion was also raised on the Senate floor by Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi and co-sponsored by South-West senators in that corridor for the attention of the President. Today, the road has been awarded and funds released,” they added.

They noted that additional projects, including the Gbongan–Akoda–Osogbo road and the Ibadan–Iwo–Osogbo road, were influenced by federal intervention processes.

“The Gbongan–Akoda–Osogbo road was just awarded, while the Ibadan–Iwo–Osogbo road was initiated by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, HE Gboyega Oyetola, which Mr President directed the Minister of Works to expedite,” they said.

The lawmakers commended former Osun governor and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, for his contributions, stressing the need for accurate attribution of the projects.

“We appreciate the President and Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for awarding Federal road projects worth N700 billion in Osun State,” they said.

They also urged the state government to avoid misrepresentation of project ownership.

Earlier, Governor Ademola Adeleke had acknowledged the Federal Government’s approval of key road rehabilitation projects in the state and expressed appreciation to the presidency and the Ministry of Works.

“I received the news of the Federal Executive Council’s approval of two key federal roads in Osun State. The rehabilitation of the Osogbo–Gbongan road and the Osogbo–Iwo–Ibadan road will bring relief and enhance economic development.

“During my visit to the Minister of Works on October 18, 2024, I presented these roads and pleaded for urgent intervention. I applaud the listening ears of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister and pledge our support during the execution of these projects,” Adeleke said.