The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State has vehemently dismissed the threats made by a group known as The Osun Masterminds (TOM) to report Governor Ademola Adeleke to anti-graft agencies regarding the state’s multi-billion naira infrastructural development plan. The party stands firm in its support of the governor.
On Friday, Governor Adeleke unveiled a N100 billion infrastructural development plan for the state, which includes the construction of five flyovers, road rehabilitation, provision of clean water, and improvements in public education and healthcare facilities.
During a press conference, Prof Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli, the Executive Director of TOM, threatened to report Governor Adeleke to anti-graft agencies, claiming that the state may be heading towards excessive borrowing and financial recklessness. However, the PDP has dismissed TOM as a mercenary group and an ally of the All Progressive Congress (APC).
In a statement released by Sunday Bisi, the Chairman of the PDP in Osun State, the party accused TOM of ignorance regarding the ongoing due process compliance for the infrastructural plan. Bisi clarified that the state government has already initiated a procurement process, issued bid advertisements, and worked on a supplementary budget through the State Assembly.
The PDP criticized TOM for failing to acknowledge Governor Adeleke’s clear statement that the funding for the infrastructural plan would be sourced from savings, cost-cutting measures, and the expansion of the state’s revenue base, without any borrowing from financial institutions. The governor emphasized that a project account had been opened solely for this purpose.
The Chairman of the PDP further expressed confusion as to why saving money and implementing strategic funding strategies would warrant the threat of an anti-graft probe. Bisi condemned TOM’s reaction to Governor Adeleke’s infrastructure plan, highlighting that it included comprehensive explanations of funding strategies, project justifications, and long-term sustainability. Bisi also questioned why TOM continued to support defeated politicians who lost in four consecutive elections.
Concluding the statement, Bisi reassured the public that the PDP is committed to running a transparent and accountable government, undeterred by the distractions caused by political jobbers parading as civil society activists.
