Adeleke’s Spokesperson Slams Omirin, Challenges APC Lawmaker To Prove ₦12bn Claim

Governor Ademola Adeleke’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, has described as false, reckless and deliberately misleading claims by the member representing Ijesa South Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Sanya Omirin, that he facilitated the payment of ₦12 billion by the Federal Government to the Osun State Government.

Rasheed, in a statement on Thursday, challenged Omirin to provide proof for the claim, noting that making sensational claims without evidence may serve political propaganda, but it does not constitute truth.

The governor’s spokesperson further demanded specifics from the lawmaker regarding the allegation.

He said, “I challenge Hon. Omirin to state clearly, with credible evidence, what the alleged ₦12 billion was meant for, in what official capacity he claims to have facilitated it, and under what legal or constitutional authority such a transaction occurred.”

Rasheed also faulted Omirin’s assertion that the Adeleke administration has not delivered meaningful development in Atakunmosa East Local Government, insisting the claim is demonstrably inconsistent with the visible projects executed across the local government within the last three years.

According to him, “Under Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration, Atakunmosa East has witnessed significant interventions in several sectors such as education, healthcare, rural infrastructure, water supply, etc.”

He listed several projects executed through the Osun State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, including “Construction of three classrooms at Community Grammar School, Oko-Ago; Renovation of six classrooms at Community Grammar School, Iwara and Construction of a block of three classrooms with an office at Apostolic Primary School, Ayegbaju.”

Other education projects he cited include “Rehabilitation of a block of three classrooms at St. Luke Anglican Primary School, Odogbo; Construction of a six-unit squatting toilet facility at St. James Primary School, Odogbo; and Drilling and reticulation of a borehole( at Apostolic Primary School, Oke-Olowu.”

On road infrastructure, Rasheed said the administration undertook “Atiba–Oke-Ode–Police Station Road, Iperindo; Odo-Odi–Secretariat Road, Iperindo; and Roundabout–Idi Erin–Secretariat Road, Iperindo.”

He added that through the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project, RAAMP, the government also worked on “Igangan–Ifewara Road; Oko-Ago–Ayinrin Adedeji Road; and Owode Junction–Sajuku Road.”

In healthcare, he said Primary Healthcare Centres in “Amuye-Faforijin Community, Igangan Community, Itaapa Community, Iperindo Community, Iwara Community” have been rehabilitated and equipped to improve access to quality healthcare.

“In addition, the Adeleke administration has provided boreholes across all ten wards in Atakunmosa East Local Government, improving access to safe and potable water for thousands of residents,” Rasheed stated.

The spokesperson said the projects represent only a fraction of the developmental interventions already delivered by Governor Adeleke’s administration in the area.

Rasheed further urged Omirin to account for his own stewardship instead of engaging in what he called politically motivated misinformation.

“Rather than engaging in what appears to be politically motivated misinformation, Hon. Omirin should present an account of his own stewardship and explain what tangible benefits his political party intends to offer the people of Ijesa South beyond campaign rhetoric,” he said.

He also raised concern over comments allegedly made by Omirin, suggesting possible violence in future elections, describing them as unacceptable and inconsistent with democratic principles of our country.

Rasheed called on the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to closely monitor all political actors and ensure that no individual incites violence or threatens the peace of Osun State.

“Elections must never become an avenue for intimidation, violence or bloodshed. Democracy thrives only where citizens are free to vote according to their conscience without fear or coercion,” he said.