The Osun State Government and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are embroiled in a dispute over allegations of corruption involving a senior civil servant. The APC has accused the state government of shielding a female Permanent Secretary who allegedly embezzled N300 million in state funds.
According to the APC, the accused official is the wife of a serving commissioner in Governor Ademola Adeleke’s cabinet. The party claims that the state government is managing the case in secret, with a discreet arrangement for the official to repay the money rather than face prosecution. The APC has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigeria Police to investigate the matter and ensure justice is served.
In response, the Osun State Government has denied the allegations, describing them as “beer parlour gossip elevated to the level of party propaganda.” The government’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, stated that there is no truth to the report of a N300 million scandal and that the state operates a procurement system with strict oversight mechanisms, making such corruption impossible.
Governor Adeleke’s administration has emphasized its commitment to transparency and accountability, with Rasheed warning that the government may take legal action against the APC official behind the allegations. The government has also highlighted its procurement law, which includes threshold approvals and due process compliance, making it unlikely for a ministry official to unilaterally handle large amounts of funds.
The allegations have sparked a heated exchange between the two parties, with the APC accusing the state government of shielding corruption and the government accusing the APC of manufacturing falsehoods to divert attention from its low acceptability among Osun people. The dispute has significant implications for the state’s governance and transparency, and it remains to be seen how the matter will be resolved. The EFCC and the Nigeria Police have been called upon to investigate the allegations and ensure justice is served.
