Politics
Osun Govt Speaks on Budget 2023
. . . Debunks Sahara Reporters’ Take On Gov Adeleke
The Osun State Government (OSG) has denied news reports that Governor Ademola Adeleke spent N8 billion in three months, clarifying that the Governor’s Office comprises more than seven agencies and departments alongside many government-wide operations and activities.
The OSG’s clarification was conveyed in a statement on Tuesday in Osogbo by Honourable Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Hon Kolapo Alimi.
It described as laughable the presumption that the Governor’s Office stands for Mr. Governor alone.
Hon Alimi explained that the allocation to the Governor’s Office stood for capital, the recurrent and overhead cost of all agencies, departments, and units operating within the Governor’s Office and with several government-wide responsibilities.
While clearing Gov Adeleke of any misdemeanor, the statement noted that the Sahara Reporters’ publication mischievously and falsely attributed expenditure on the refurbishment of government quarters, Imole Medical outreach, salaries and emoluments of staff of several agencies, and other governmental activities as expenses by the Governor.
The statement added that “This is false and mere fabrication arising from deliberate misinterpretation of budget data”, and listed the several departments under the Governor’s Office to include “the Bureau of Social Services, Office of Sustainable Development Goals, Security Department, Osun Investment Promotion Agency, Osun New Towns Development Agency, Osun Signage Agency, Osun Agric and Osun Land Bank, among others.”
Government expenditure across the various departments, according to Hon Alimi includes refurbishment of vandalised government quarters, procurement of official vehicles, replacement of vehicles carted away by the previous government, refurbishment of offices of agencies that make up the Office of the Governor which were left in terrible states by the previous administration; provision of funds for the execution of Imole Medical outreach series; provision of funds for emergencies in the welfare of the citizens as individuals and groups.
He said, “The N6.01 Billion referred to in the publication therefore encompasses the entire expenditures (Personnel, Overhead & Capital) of the Office of the Governor including the agencies and parastatals under it, for the period in question.”
The statement also posited that the personnel cost which was a sum of N209 million was for the 771 staff of 12 Bureau and Offices under the Office of the Governor while the overhead which was a sum of N4 billion represented the amount spent on acquisition/replacement of vehicles and financing of Imole Medical outreach.
“The 1.7Bn on Capital represents the amount spent on the refurbishment of quarters and government offices.
“In the same vein, the N800m naira referred to in the publication represents the entire expenditure of the State House of Assembly for the period.
“It should be noted that the amount quoted for the refreshments and meals, welfare packages, and publicity and advertising was meant for all the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies including all Tertiary Institutions in the State.
“Moreso, the fraction spent by the Office of the Governor from these, includes the amount expended on the second phase of Imole Medical Outreach conducted for the three (3) Senatorial Districts of the state,” Hon Alimi stated.
The OSG maintained that the details provided above confirmed that Gov Adeleke did not spend any money outside his statutory salaries and allowances while the funds in question were mostly the overhead, capital, and personnel costs of agencies and departments under the Governor’s office with government-wide mandate and operations.
The OSG called on citizens to avail themselves of the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act for information on government activities.
The All Progressives Congress has recorded a clean sweep in the Ebonyi State local government elections, winning all 13 chairmanship and 171 councillorship seats contested in the poll.
The results were announced on Sunday by the Chairman of the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission, Patrick Enyi, at the commission’s office on Onwe Road, Abakaliki.
Among the winners was Osborn Umahi, son of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, who emerged chairman-elect of Ohaozara Local Government Area.
SEE MORE: Mary Habila’s Death: Atiku Demands Umahi’s Immediate Suspension
Other candidates declared winners include Peace Agwu for Ishielu, Paul Ituma for Ohaukwu, Friday Nwuhuo for Ezza North, Chinedu Mkpuma for Ezza South, Chidi Nwode for Ikwo and Timothy Nwachi for Afikpo.
Also declared winners were Ikechukwu Ogbofia for Onicha, Michael Kalu Anyim for Ivo, Simeon Onuoha for Edda, Helen Aduga for Izzi, Chidiebere Alo for Abakaliki and Chibueze Odigwe for Ebonyi Local Government Area.
Enyi described the election as peaceful, free and fair, noting that other political parties participated in the exercise.
He commended voters for turning out to exercise their constitutional rights and appreciated security agencies for providing support throughout the election.
Speaking after his declaration, Umahi commended EBSIEC for what he described as the transparent and peaceful conduct of the election.
He pledged to prioritise rural development, youth empowerment and agricultural transformation during his tenure as chairman.
Meanwhile, the Ebonyi State APC Chairman, Stanley Okoro Emegha, described the party’s sweeping victory as an indication of its dominance in the state.
Emegha said the outcome also demonstrated what he described as the growing acceptance of the APC across Ebonyi, expressing confidence that the party would record another victory in the 2027 general elections.
Former Gombe State Governor and Senator representing Gombe Central, Danjuma Goje, has denied reports that he is planning to defect from the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Goje made the clarification on Saturday while addressing his supporters at his residence in Gombe, amid speculation over his political future following his loss of the APC senatorial ticket.
SEE MORE: 2027: Uzodimma Gives Imo APC 32 Buses, Demands 100% Victory
The former governor said he was consulting with political stakeholders and would announce his next political move at the appropriate time.
He urged his supporters to remain loyal to the party’s leaders and disregard what he described as attempts to mislead them.
“Do not listen to betrayers, go home, prepare, be loyal to our party leaders and wait for my final order,” Goje said.
He further stated, “I am not defecting to any party now, however I am consulting stakeholders, but I promise I will be with my supporters with or without a Senate ticket.”
The development comes after Goje’s name was omitted from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s final list of candidates for the 2027 general elections.
Goje had contested the APC senatorial primary for Gombe Central but lost the party’s ticket to another aspirant. Reports from the primary indicated that Mohammed Ahmed emerged as the APC candidate for the district.
His supporters had earlier rejected the party’s consensus arrangement that replaced him as the proposed candidate, with his camp questioning the process.
The situation has fuelled speculation about Goje’s next political move, particularly amid reports of overtures from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party to offer him its senatorial ticket.
Despite the speculation, Goje has not announced any decision to leave the APC, insisting that he is still consulting stakeholders before taking a position.
Goje served as governor of Gombe State from 2003 to 2011 and was elected to the Senate in 2011. He was re-elected in 2023 for a fourth term representing Gombe Central.
With his name absent from the 2027 senatorial candidates’ list, political attention is now focused on whether Goje will remain in the APC, support another candidate or eventually move to another political platform.
For now, the former governor has asked his supporters to remain calm, loyal and ready for his “final order.”
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has presented 32 buses to leaders of the All Progressives Congress in the state to boost grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Uzodimma presented the vehicles on Saturday at the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Conference Centre, where he charged the party to secure a 100 per cent victory in Imo, insisting that anything less would be unacceptable.
SEE ALSO: Police Summon AIG Moshood Jimoh, Invite VDM Over Explosive Allegations
The 32 buses comprise 27 vehicles for APC Local Government Area chairmen, three for the party’s zonal chairmen, and one each for the state women and youth leaders.
Speaking at the event, Uzodimma said the APC had enough achievements to campaign for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, expressing confidence that even opposition supporters would vote for the President.
“We have the material to campaign because President Bola Tinubu has done tremendously well. Even our opponents will vote for President Tinubu,” Uzodimma said.
The governor said the party must deliver a complete victory in the state in the 2027 elections.
“Imo is APC and APC is Imo. We will deliver 100 per cent. 99.9 per cent will be unacceptable,” he noted.
Uzodimma also urged those who regarded themselves as his friends to demonstrate their support by voting for the APC and Tinubu.
“If you are my friend, the only way you can let me know you are my friend is when you vote for APC and support President Tinubu,” he said.
According to the governor, the vehicles were provided to strengthen the APC at the grassroots and enable party leaders to take its message to communities across the state.
“Today we want to support our party chairmen for the tasks ahead. If you say that party is supreme, this is the time,” he said.
Uzodimma, however, cautioned the beneficiaries against using the buses for purposes outside party mobilisation.
“Please use the vehicles for the party. It is important that the vehicles must be used to work for the party,” he added.
The APC State Chairman, Austin Onyedebelu, thanked the governor for the gesture, saying the buses would help the party expand its reach across communities in Imo.
Onyedebelu pledged that the party would work towards delivering all APC candidates, from the President to candidates contesting seats in the state Houses of Assembly.
The APC South-East Zonal Vice Chairman, Ijeoma Arodiogbu, also commended Uzodimma for providing the buses, describing him as “a man of grace.”
Arodiogbu urged party officials to deploy the vehicles effectively for grassroots mobilisation, warning that excuses would not be tolerated as the party prepares for the 2027 elections.
The 32 buses are expected to be deployed across Imo’s 27 local government areas as the APC intensifies its mobilisation ahead of the elections.
C’River: Man Takes Own Life Inside Obudu Market, Community Demands N300,000 Cleansing Fee
“Tinubu Deserves to Be President for Long, Long Time” — Olubadan
JUST IN: Midnight Fire Razes Nearly 300 Shops in Ibadan Market
DPRP’s Free Fuel Delivery Expands to Kano, Imo, Nearly 10 More States
Nollywood Mourns as Veteran Actor Taiwo Hassan ‘Ogogo’ Dies at 66
APC Sweeps Ebonyi LG Polls as Umahi’s Son, 12 Others Emerge Chairmen
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart