Osun Govt Faults Omirin’s ₦12bn Claim, Lists Projects Executed in Atakunmosa East
By Waliu Adetokun,
Osogbo
The Osun State Government has described as false and misleading a claim by the member representing Atakunmosa East/West and Ilesa East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Emmanuel Omirin, that he facilitated the payment of ₦12 billion by the Federal Government to Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Reacting to a viral video allegedly featuring the lawmaker, the spokesperson to Governor Ademola Adeleke, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, said the allegation lacked factual basis and challenged Omirin to provide evidence to support the claim.
Rasheed asked the federal lawmaker to state the purpose of the alleged ₦12 billion, the capacity in which he facilitated the payment and the legal framework under which such a transaction was carried out.
“Making sensational claims without evidence may serve political propaganda, but it does not constitute truth. Public discourse should be guided by facts, responsibility and respect for the intelligence of the people,” Rasheed said.
The government also dismissed Omirin’s claim that the Adeleke administration had not delivered meaningful development in Atakunmosa East Local Government, insisting that several projects had been completed in the area since the governor assumed office.
According to Rasheed, the administration has undertaken interventions in education, healthcare, road infrastructure and water supply across the local government.
He listed education projects to include the construction of three classrooms at Community Grammar School, Oko-Ago; renovation of six classrooms at Community Grammar School, Iwara; construction of a block of three classrooms with an office at Apostolic Primary School, Ayegbaju; rehabilitation of classroom blocks at St. Luke Anglican Primary School, Odogbo; construction of toilet facilities at St. James Primary School, Odogbo; and the drilling of a borehole at Apostolic Primary School, Oke-Olowu.
He also highlighted road projects executed by the administration, including the Atiba–Oke-Ode–Police Station Road, Odo-Odi–Secretariat Road and Roundabout–Idi Erin–Secretariat Road in Iperindo, as well as the Igangan–Ifewara Road, Oko-Ago–Ayinrin Adedeji Road and Owode Junction–Sajuku Road under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP).
The governor’s spokesman further stated that Primary Healthcare Centres in Amuye-Faforijin, Igangan, Itaapa, Iperindo and Iwara had been rehabilitated and equipped, while boreholes had been provided across the ten wards of Atakunmosa East to improve access to potable water.
“These projects represent only a fraction of the developmental interventions already delivered by Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration in the area.
They are visible, verifiable and continue to improve the lives of the people,” he said.
Rasheed urged Omirin to account for his stewardship in the National Assembly instead of making what he described as unfounded allegations.
“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.
“The people of Osun State have experienced the difference between governance driven by development and governance characterised by hardship. They remain capable of making informed democratic choices,” he added.
The government also expressed concern over comments allegedly made by the lawmaker suggesting the possible use of violence during future elections.
Rasheed called on security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to closely monitor political activities in the state and ensure that no individual threatens public peace.
“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.
“We remain committed to issue-based politics, peaceful democratic engagement and the continued promotion of the developmental achievements of Governor Ademola Adeleke across Osun State,” he said.