TICC Accuses AMBO Campaign Spokesperson, of Receiving €248,281.25, $6,430 and ₦2,032,000 for Unexecuted Drone Project
By Waliu Adetokun, Osogbo
The Imole Campaign Council (TICC) has accused the Spokesperson of the AMBO Campaign Council, Mr. Remi Omowaiye, of receiving public funds amounting to €248,281.25, $6,430 and ₦2,032,000 for a drone surveillance project which it was never executed.
The Council, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Media Committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam, said it is in possession of official documents showing that approval was granted for the release of the funds during Omowaiye’s tenure as Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology in Osun State.
According to TICC, the funds were approved for the procurement and deployment of four Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for security surveillance across parts of the state, alongside training programmes for operators of the system.
The group stated that the approval memo, dated March 2018 and signed by Omowaiye, contained requests for the acquisition of four intelligent surveillance drones, foreign technical inspection in the Netherlands, and training for government officials who were to operate the equipment.
It further explained that €248,281.25 was approved for the procurement of the drones, $6,430 for foreign travel and estacodes for two officials, while ₦2,032,000 was allocated for local logistics and the training of ten personnel in Nigeria.
TICC also claimed that Omowaiye had publicly admitted authorship of the memo during a television interview, but has since failed to account for the implementation or whereabouts of the drones.
According to the statement, “Omowaiye himself admitted during a live television appearance that he authored the memo seeking approval for the drone acquisition. It is therefore concerning that he has been unable to provide a clear answer to the question where are the drones?”
The Council added that the document allegedly outlined detailed operational plans, including the deployment of the drones in Osogbo, Ede, Ikire and Ilesa for round-the-clock surveillance, as well as arrangements for training ten personnel under Dutch supervision.
It also questioned the use of the Local Government Joint Allocation Account as the funding source for the project.
TICC expressed concern over what it described as repeated deflection by Omowaiye during an interview on Western Spring Television’s “Morning Spring” programme on Thursday, June 18, 2026, when he was questioned about the project.
The Council also criticised the decision of Bola Oyebamiji to retain Omowaiye as spokesperson of his campaign despite what it described as unresolved questions surrounding the project.
It stated, “It is worrisome that Mr. Oyebamiji has continued to retain Mr. Omowaiye as spokesperson despite his refusal to provide clear explanations regarding the drones procured with public funds.”
TICC said the situation raises serious concerns about transparency and accountability in the management of public resources, insisting that residents of Osun State deserve clear answers on whether the drones were delivered, deployed, or accounted for.
The group demanded clarification on whether the funds were released as approved, the current whereabouts of the drones, the identities of trained personnel, and documentation of operational deployment and maintenance.
It further stated, “If the drones were procured, where are they today? If they were not, what became of the funds approved for the project?”
The Council maintained that Omowaiye, having signed and processed the memo in his official capacity, must provide full accountability rather than deflect responsibility.
TICC warned that failure to provide satisfactory explanations could lead to political consequences, including a call for his removal as campaign spokesperson.
The statement concluded that all approvals, financial breakdowns, and implementation records must be made public in the interest of accountability.
