he Osun State government has leveled serious allegations against its immediate past governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, and some members of his administration. In a dramatic live broadcast, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, accused the former governor and his team of engaging in contract racketeering and money laundering during their tenure. The government claims to have gathered substantial evidence to back these allegations, promising to make the documents public by the end of the week.
The Allegations: A Deep Dive
According to Commissioner Alimi, the state government has spent months compiling evidence against Oyetola and his cabinet members. The allegations specifically target key figures from the previous administration, including:
Alhaji Bola Oyebamiji, former Commissioner for Finance
Remi Omowaiye, former Commissioner for Works
Adebayo Adeleke Banik, former Commissioner for Local Government
Abiodun Samuel Idowu, former ALGON Chairman
Alimi stated that the government has “plausible evidence and documents” to prove that these individuals were involved in corrupt practices, including inflating contract costs and laundering state funds.
“The claims we are making are backed up by relevant documents. We will present all of the documents very soon, from today, Monday, to Friday. This is not about the present situation in the state, but what we have been working on for months,” Alimi declared during the broadcast.
A Political Showdown: Adeleke vs. Oyetola
These allegations come amid an ongoing political feud between Governor Ademola Adeleke and his predecessor, Adegboyega Oyetola. The tension escalated recently over the reinstatement of sacked local government chairmen. Governor Adeleke accused Oyetola of attempting to incite unrest by pressuring security agencies to restore the ousted officials.
Oyetola, who currently serves as the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, has denied any wrongdoing. He urged the Adeleke administration to comply with the February 10 Court of Appeal judgment, which ruled in favor of reinstating the local government chairmen.
APC Fires Back: Allegations Are Baseless
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has dismissed the allegations as politically motivated and fabricated. Waheed Adekunle, speaking on behalf of the APC, described the claims as an attempt to distract from the current administration’s governance challenges.
“Disregard the allegations. The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy did not engage in any racketeering, and his cabinet members did not involve themselves in money laundering,” Adekunle stated. He further criticized the state government for timing the allegations to coincide with the local government election, calling it a desperate move to tarnish Oyetola’s reputation.
Local Government Elections in Focus
Amid the allegations and counter-allegations, the Osun State government has assured residents that the upcoming local government elections will proceed smoothly. Commissioner Alimi emphasized that the government is closely monitoring activities at local government secretariats to ensure law and order.
“Saturday’s local government election will proceed without any hiccup. We are on top of the situation. I am also appealing to the people to maintain law and order,” Alimi said.
Conclusion: A Week of Revelations Ahead
As the Osun State government prepares to release its evidence against Oyetola and his cabinet, the political atmosphere in the state remains tense. The allegations, if proven, could have far-reaching implications for the former governor and his associates. However, with the APC dismissing the claims as baseless, the situation is shaping up to be a high-stakes political battle.
Residents and observers alike will be watching closely as the government unveils its documents later this week. Will the evidence hold up, or is this another chapter in the ongoing rivalry between Adeleke and Oyetola? Only time will tell.