Opposition Demands Governor’s Exit
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has called for the resignation of Governor Ademola Adeleke following allegations of N13.7 billion in annual payroll fraud uncovered during a staff audit commissioned by his administration.
The party described the reported payments to alleged ghost workers as evidence of systemic abuse within the state’s civil service and urged federal anti-corruption agencies to launch a full investigation.
The Osun State Government has, however, denied the allegations and challenged the conclusions of the audit.
Details of the Audit Findings
The controversy stems from a 2023 staff verification exercise conducted by a consultancy firm.
According to the firm’s chief executive, Sa’adat Bakrin-Ottun, the state was allegedly paying N13,716,914,129.28 annually to ghost workers.
Bakrin-Ottun further claimed that one individual received salaries connected to 5,615 fictitious employees, raising concerns about possible payroll manipulation on a large scale.
APC Presses Anti-Corruption Agencies
Speaking at a press conference in Osogbo, APC Director of Media Kola Olabisi demanded Adeleke’s resignation, stating that the funds in question could have been used to create employment opportunities for thousands of youths in the state.
He called on the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the matter.
Also weighing in, former Commissioner for Local Government Adebayo Adeleke argued that if the alleged N13.7 billion annual payments persisted for three years, the cumulative amount could exceed N41 billion.
Osun Government’s Response
The Osun State Government has rejected the allegations, describing them as politically motivated.
Commissioner for Information Kolapo Alimi stated that further verification of the audit report revealed that more than two-thirds of those labeled as ghost workers were legitimate employees with proper documentation.
Alimi also maintained that Governor Adeleke initiated the staff audit to address payroll issues inherited from the administration of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola.
What Happens Next
With both sides holding firm positions, the next phase may depend on whether federal anti-corruption agencies decide to formally investigate the claims.
The controversy adds another layer to Osun’s political landscape, as questions of transparency, accountability, and governance continue to dominate public discourse in the state.
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