Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke on Wednesday defended his administration’s fiscal policies, affirming that his government has relied solely on state resources to fund its projects over the past year.
In his New Year Day address to residents, Adeleke clarified that his administration has not accessed security votes or borrowed funds. He stated that the state’s projects were financed primarily through internally generated revenue (IGR) and allocations from the federation account.
“Since I assumed office, our projects have been financed mainly from state resources,” Adeleke said. “This includes IGR and allocations from the federation account. I have not accessed security votes, and I have not borrowed a single kobo to run the state government.”
The governor also highlighted Osun’s continued participation in national programs inherited from the previous administration, stressing that his government would sustain any initiatives that benefit the people of the state.
“As a responsible state in Nigeria, we are part and parcel of the National Economic Council and the Nigerian Governors’ Forum. We inherited many national programs from the previous APC governments, and we continue to sustain those programs when and if they benefit our people,” Adeleke added.
The governor also urged residents to utilize the Freedom of Information Act to access information about his administration. He reiterated his commitment to transparency and accountability, noting that several information requests had already been processed under the law.
“My good people of Osun, I have kept faith with my pledge for transparency and accountability,” he said. “We have ensured access to information as a transparent and accountable government. I urge the opposition to join the state government as we work to improve the fortunes of our state. We are all stakeholders.”
Adeleke’s remarks come amid allegations from the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun. On Monday, APC spokesperson Kola Olabisi accused the state government of secretly securing a $51 million foreign loan (approximately N81.6 billion) using an exchange rate of N1,600 to $1. Olabisi claimed the current administration was leading the state toward a financial crisis, calling for accountability over alleged financial mismanagement.
The APC also questioned the governor’s claim of no loans, citing the use of the NG-CARES facility in the state’s 2024 budget. However, Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, swiftly dismissed the allegations. Rasheed categorically denied that the state had taken any foreign loans under the NG-CARES program.
“The APC’s claims are unfounded and misleading,” Rasheed said. “Osun State has not acquired any foreign loans under NG-CARES or through any other means.”
The governor’s defense underscores ongoing political tensions as he continues his first year in office.
