Shina Abubakar, Osogbo

An opposition party in Osun State, the Allied Peoples Movement, APM and the Osun State Government disagreed over alleged extra budget spending by the latter.

Osun APM’s Chairman, Hon. Adewale Adebayo in a statement disclosed that the Governor Ademola Adeleke-led administration in the state made N134 billion in excess of its 2024 budget which was pegged at N273billion, stressing the need for the Governor to be transparent in his dealings.

He adds, “The 2024 budget approved by the State House of Assembly was pegged at N273 billion, providing a clear framework for revenue generation and expenditure. However, reports indicate that the state has realized a staggering N408 billion in revenue, leaving a surplus of N135 billion. This significant deviation from the budget raises critical questions about how these funds have been expended or are being allocated.

“Governor Adeleke and his administration must provide a detailed breakdown of how the N135 billion excess revenue was utilized. The people of Osun deserve to know the specific projects or programmes funded with this surplus.

“Governor Ademola Adeleke promised to be open to general public while contesting, we observed that his government is shrouded in secrecy too much, this should stop forthwith to enhance public trust and foster an inclusive governance process. We heard it from good authority that the Osun State Government is mopping up money through surplus budget among others against 2026 election”.

However, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi dismissed the allegation as a mere fabrication of the APM, saying the administration cannot spend money outside its budget.

His words, “The claims by the ex-IPAC chair are a fabricated lie, our government has never and will never embark on spending money which is not budgeted for. There is no way any government will spend money these days and the money will not be budgeted for. It is not a surprise to us since they know that the government is performing, the only weapon they can use is blackmailing because we are performing.

“On the issue of mopping up money for the election, it is also another lie, that is his imagination. The election is coming up in 2026. Where did Adeleke mop up the one he used when he was not in government?