The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has firmly countered the recent allegations made by Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Specifically, they accuse Adeleke of using “pettiness” and diversionary tactics to cover up supposed corruption and misconduct in his administration.
>During a press conference held in Abuja on Sunday, Mogaji Kola Olabisi, who serves as the APC Director of Media and Information, labeled Adeleke’s claims as unfounded.
Moreover, he criticized Adeleke’s government for financial misconduct, abuse of power, and a troubling lack of transparency.
Furthermore, Olabisi asserted that since taking office over two years ago, Adeleke has been operating a “secret-cult government.”
According to him, this administration is rife with nepotism and corruption, raising serious concerns about governance in the state.
Allegations of Contract Manipulation and Nepotism
The APC accused Governor Adeleke’s administration of awarding lucrative public contracts to family members and close associates.
They claimed these deals violated Osun State’s Public Procurement Law, demanding immediate accountability.
Specifically, the party alleged Dr. Deji Adeleke secured inflated contracts, including a N14 million per-unit borehole project.
Meanwhile, similar projects under ex-Governor Oyetola reportedly cost under N2 million each, sparking public outrage over discrepancies.
The APC has urged anti-graft agencies to probe potential corruption, stressing fairness in public spending.
Governor Adeleke’s team denies wrongdoing, calling the allegations politically motivated ahead of upcoming local elections.
“Dr. Deji Adeleke has been operating behind the scenes as the unofficial ‘Governor-General’ of the state,” Olabisi claimed.
He further alleged that another family member, Mrs. Dupe Adeleke-Sanni, had taken on an unofficial role as “governor-in-charge of administration,” while Governor Adeleke focused on entertainment-related activities.
The APC also accused other key officials in Adeleke’s administration of leveraging their positions for personal gain.
The PDP accused Deputy Speaker Akinyode Oyewusi of funneling N10 billion through his firms, Raregode and Acumen Forte.
Meanwhile, investigators claim both companies secured state contracts despite lacking expertise in the awarded sectors.
Similarly, Chief of Staff Kazeem Akinleye allegedly used Akinkaz Interbiz to win TETFUND projects at Osun universities.
Documents reveal the deals totaled billions, sparking urgent calls for accountability in public procurement processes.
Calls for Transparency and Accountability
Olabisi criticized Governor Adeleke’s administration for failing to adhere to transparency standards. He noted that while Oyetola’s government had published over 110 contract and procurement details during its tenure, Adeleke’s government had disclosed only seven in two years. This lack of transparency, Olabisi said, raised serious concerns about the administration’s commitment to accountability.
A recent report by BudgIT, a civic organization focused on fiscal transparency, highlighted similar issues. According to BudgIT, Osun State’s performance on the fiscal transparency league table was negatively impacted by delayed submission of financial reports and the absence of updated data on the state’s e-procurement portal.
“Under Governor Adeleke, public procurement in Osun has become an ‘Ojuju-Calabar’—a euphemism for a secretive and opaque system,” Olabisi stated.
Response to SOML Allegations
The APC also addressed allegations by Adeleke’s government regarding the $20 million Save-One-Million-Lives (SOML) Programme, a World Bank-funded initiative aimed at improving maternal and child health services. Adeleke’s administration had claimed that funds from the program were misappropriated under Oyetola’s leadership. However, Olabisi dismissed these claims as “falsehoods” intended to tarnish Oyetola’s reputation.
“The SOML funds were comprehensively monitored by the World Bank and were used to enhance health services in Osun State. All contracts were awarded in compliance with procurement laws,” Olabisi said. He invited members of the press and public to review documentation detailing how the funds were utilized to improve healthcare facilities and programs in the state.
Challenge to Publish Evidence
The APC challenged Governor Adeleke to substantiate his allegations against Oyetola by publishing full details of contractors and dates of contract awards. They also accused Adeleke’s administration of using propaganda to distract from ongoing investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into alleged misconduct by key members of his government.
“We are aware that the EFCC is preparing formal charges against some individuals in Adeleke’s administration who have violated their oaths of office,” Olabisi said. He cited petitions submitted by the League of Peace Ambassadors, Humanity and Human Rights Advocates as evidence of widespread concerns about fraudulent contracts awarded under Adeleke’s leadership.
Firmly, the APC pledged to hold Governor Adeleke accountable, ensuring transparency and good governance prevail in Osun State.
Additionally, they vowed to uphold the Court’s reinstatement of chairmen, pledging democratic dividends for Osun citizens.
Amid ongoing accusations, Osun’s political climate remains tense. Calls for accountability and rule of law now dominate discourse.
