Osun Governor Adeleke defends himself in New Year’s Day broadcast to residents

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Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has disclosed that his administration has continued to maintain the national programs inherited from his predecessor.

Governor Adeleke reiterated that last year, his administration had primarily funded the project from state coffers.

These revelations were part of Governor Adeleke’s New Year message to the people of the state on Wednesday.

The governor also clarified that the state's coffers include internally generated revenue and allocations from the federal account. He added that he does not have access to secure voting and does not borrow money to run the state government.

Part of the address looks like this:
“In the past year since I took office, our projects have been primarily funded from state funds, including internally generated revenue and allocations from the Federation Account . Just like I don't have access to secure voting, I don't rent a single Kobo to run my state government.

“As a responsible Nigerian state, we participate in the programs and activities of the National Economic Council and the Nigeria Governors Forum. We inherited many national programs from the previous APC government. We will continue to maintain these programs where they benefit the public.”

Governor Adeleke called on those seeking information about the administration to take advantage of the Freedom of Information Act.

he said:
“The good people of Osun, I have always believed in my pledge of transparency and accountability as governor. Over the past year, we have received and processed several requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act. We have ensured access to information as a transparent and accountable government.

“Democracy is a government of the people, by the people, and by the people, so I call on those seeking concrete data on government programs to take advantage of the Freedom of Information Act, specifically: I urge the opposition to join the state government in turning the fortunes of the state around. We are all stakeholders.”

According to DAILY POST, the governor's disclosure came in the wake of allegations against him by the opposition party All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

In his year-end address on Monday, the Media and Information Director of Osun APC, Kola Olabisi, accused the state government of secretly signing and obtaining external loans totaling $51 million (equivalent to N81.6 billion). The exchange rate is 1,600 naira to 1 dollar.

Mr. Olabisi appealed to the people of the state to hold Mr. Adeleke accountable for his fiscal recklessness, claiming that the current administration was trying to plunge the state into a serious financial crisis.

According to APC, the claim that the Adeleke administration has not received any loans since its inauguration is false as part of the state’s 2024 budget is funded through the NG-CARES facility.

Reacting to the allegations, the governor’s spokesperson, Mr. Olawale Rasheed, dismissed the APC’s claims.

Mr. Olawale categorically denied that Osun State had obtained any foreign loan under NG-CARES.

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Source: dailypost.ng

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