The Osun State Government has criticized the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) for what it called a “cheap blackmail campaign” following a recent media event titled “Disclose True Financial Situation of Osun.” The event, which was widely circulated in both traditional and non-traditional media, accused Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration of financial mismanagement.
In a statement, the Osun State Government dismissed the media talk as the product of individuals with a limited understanding of how government functions. The government said it was necessary to respond in order to clarify the facts and prevent the public from being misled.
One of the primary issues raised during the press conference was the NG-CARES program, which had already been clarified by the Adeleke administration. The program was originally initiated under the government of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, who signed the Subsidiary Loan Agreement (SLA) before leaving office in November 2022. The current administration has repeatedly addressed this matter, refuting the claims made by the opposition.
Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, the Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, said the APC’s allegations were based on misinformation and a lack of understanding of how modern governance operates. He specifically rejected claims about a $20 million conversion at an exchange rate of N1,650 to the dollar, calling it another baseless accusation.
“The CARES intervention is a Program for Results (PforR), meaning the government must first use its own funds to implement the program. An independent assessor from the World Bank then verifies the results before any reimbursement is made,” Alimi explained. He also emphasized that the program was still ongoing and that the $20 million claim was entirely unfounded.
Alimi further clarified that the NG-CARES Additional Financing, an extension of the original CARES program, was still in the process of being finalized between the Federal Government and the World Bank. He assured the public that the current administration, led by Governor Adeleke, had not borrowed any money to fund its programs.
“The Imole Osun administration will not engage in any borrowing to fund its populist-oriented governance,” Alimi stated. “We urge the opposition to focus on constructive politics rather than spreading falsehoods aimed at undermining the increasing popularity of Governor Adeleke’s administration.”
The statement concluded by urging the opposition to refrain from what it described as “uncharitable and unwarranted shenanigans” and instead engage in more responsible political discourse.
