Osun APC, Adeleke Government Clash Over $20M Fraud Allegation Against Oyetola

APC Dismisses Fraud Allegation as Political Attack, Adeleke’s Government Insists on Accountability

The political landscape in Osun State has been thrown into turmoil following a $20 million fraud allegation leveled against former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola by his successor, Governor Ademola Adeleke. The controversy, which stems from a petition submitted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has sparked heated exchanges between the ruling administration and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

Osun Government Petitions EFCC Over Alleged Mismanagement Of $20M World Bank Grant

APC: Fraud Allegation Is Politically Motivated

Addressing journalists in Abuja, Osun APC Media Director, Kola Olabisi, dismissed Adeleke’s petition as a politically motivated attempt to tarnish Oyetola’s reputation. According to Olabisi, the claim of financial misconduct is a desperate move by the current government to settle political scores, especially after failing to take control of local government councils in the state.

“When their attempt to forcibly take over local government council offices failed, they resorted to crude tactics to damage the image of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, a man of candor and probity who served the state honorably,” Olabisi said.

He further challenged the Adeleke administration to back up its allegations with concrete evidence, urging the government to publish the names of contractors and contract award dates. He contrasted the current administration’s record on transparency with Oyetola’s, stating that while the former governor uploaded details of 110 contracts on the government portal over three years, Adeleke’s government had only published seven contract details in two years.

Osun Government Stands Firm, Defends EFCC Petition

Responding to the APC’s claims, the Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, insisted that the fraud allegations were based on a thorough investigation and not political vendetta.

“To set the record straight, the EFCC petition is the result of a painstaking, evidence-based process that began in early 2023. A Contract Review Committee was established to examine the financial dealings of the previous administration, and its findings uncovered widespread corruption, due process violations, and financial mismanagement under Oyetola,” Alimi stated.

He revealed that a White Paper Committee reviewed and validated the findings before recommending the prosecution of implicated officials. These recommendations, he added, were subsequently approved by the State Executive Council in 2024.

Allegations of Financial Mismanagement and Money Laundering

One of the most serious allegations against Oyetola’s administration concerns the mismanagement of funds meant for renovating 320 primary healthcare centers across the state. Alimi accused the former governor of awarding contracts without competitive bidding, in violation of the Public Procurement Act.

“These contracts were given to close allies, political associates, and family members of top officials, many of whom had no prior experience in construction. Despite receiving full payments, these firms delivered substandard work, further exposing the fraudulent scheme,” Alimi asserted.

Additionally, he alleged that N1.5 billion was laundered through the Osun chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) between January and October 2022. Financial records from Zenith Bank reportedly showed that funds were funneled into a private account linked to Akeem Ibitoye, a local government employee and Director of Finance at Ejigbo Local Government. The records allegedly revealed daily cash withdrawals of N10 million to N30 million without any official documentation.

Adeleke’s Administration Vows to Pursue Justice

Reaffirming the state government’s commitment to accountability, Alimi stated that Adeleke’s administration would not be intimidated or blackmailed into silence.

“A responsible government does not ignore this level of financial recklessness and fraud. Unlike the APC, which thrives on impunity, Governor Adeleke’s administration remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the rule of law,” he said.

He further dismissed the APC’s accusations of political witch-hunting, asserting that those implicated in the petition must prepare to answer for their actions instead of issuing misleading press statements.

EFCC Expected to Conduct Full Investigation

The Osun government expressed confidence in the EFCC’s ability to conduct an impartial investigation, emphasizing that no amount of political maneuvering from the APC would protect individuals found guilty of financial mismanagement.

With both parties standing their ground, the unfolding legal and political battle is expected to dominate the political discourse in Osun State. As Nigerians await further developments, all eyes are now on the EFCC to determine the validity of the allegations and bring justice to those found culpable.