Oyebamiji: Oyetola left N15bn for Osun, Adeleke’s empty-treasury claims false

Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress APC in Osun State, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, has insisted that the administration of Governor Gboyega Oyetola left about N15 billion for his successor, dismissing as misleading the narrative promoted by the Governor Ademola Adeleke administration regarding the finances it inherited.

Oyebamiji made the assertion while fielding questions from journalists at the Arise TV Town Hall Meeting held in Osun State, where he addressed several issues that have dominated the campaign, particularly claims by the incumbent administration about inherited liabilities and the state’s financial position.

He urged Osun residents to resist what he called political narratives designed to create the false impression that the current government inherited an empty treasury, arguing instead that the resources available to the Adeleke administration far exceed what any previous government in the state has had access to.

“As at today in Osun, 97 per cent of resources go to just two local governments. That is an aberration; actually, it is criminal. In 12 years of APC, Aregbesola and Oyetola, Osun got only N450 billion. In three and a half years of Adeleke, they have collected N650 billion. How does N650 billion match what we see in Osun today?” he said.

According to him, the surge in federal allocations to Osun followed major economic reforms introduced by the administration of President Bola Tinubu, yet little on the ground justifies the scale of funding that has accrued to the state government under Adeleke.

The APC candidate commended Tinubu for what he described as bold and courageous decisions to remove the fuel subsidy and reform the nation’s economy, noting that despite the initial hardship the reforms caused, they have substantially boosted resources available to all three tiers of government, Osun inclusive.

He argued that this increase in resources ought to translate into meaningful development, improved infrastructure, better social services and expanded economic opportunities for residents, rather than the disparities he alleged currently exist in how funds are distributed across the state’s local governments.

Oyebamiji pledged that, if elected governor, his administration would deploy Osun’s resources transparently, responsibly and equitably for the benefit of all citizens, with accountability, prudent financial management, economic expansion and inclusive development as guiding priorities.

He said the people of Osun deserved a government that converts public resources into tangible improvements in their daily lives, adding that his administration would work to build an economy where young people have opportunities, businesses can thrive, workers are properly supported, and communities across the state receive equitable attention.