Politics

Osun Govt, APC Bicker Over State’s Debt Portfolio

Published

10 months ago

December 8, 2024

The Osun State Government and the state’s chapter of the All Progressives Party have expressed divergent opinions with regards to the state’s debt profile.

Olawale Rasheed, the spokesperson for the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, said the debt portfolio inherited by the present administration has been reduced in the last two years after repayment made by the state government.

While Rasheed blamed the past administration of the state for incurring the debts, the state’s spokesperson for the state APC chapter, Mr Kola Olabisi, urged the state government to desist from blaming the opposition party whenever questions were raised regarding the state’s finances.

In a statement issued on Sunday in Osogbo, the state capital, Rasheed’s comments come in response to claims in a report published by an online newspaper (not PUNCH) which said Adeleke has added more to the state’s debt burden in the last two years.

Rasheed, who dismissed the report, said figures from the Debt Management Office indicate the state’s reduced debt portfolio, as he accused the APC of being the unseen hands behind the said report.

Quoting from the figures released by the DMO, Rasheed said, that as of June 2024, Osun’s domestic and external debts reduced by 42% and 15% in the last two years, respectively.

“The truth remains that the Osun State debt profile has reduced under the leadership of Governor Ademola Adeleke in the last two years. Data doesn’t lie and cannot be hidden.

“The domestic debt of Osun was ₦148.37 billion as of December 2022 but it has now reduced to ₦86.06 billion as of June 2024. In the same manner, the foreign debt as of December 2022 was $91.78 million but it has now reduced to $78.17 million as of June 2024.

“What this also means in terms of figures is that Governor Adeleke has paid back ₦62.31bn as domestic debt and paid off $13.61m in foreign debt. This is the burden the APC-led past administration imposed on the people of the state. If this administration hadn’t inherited those debts, these said amounts would have been better used for the good people of Osun State.

“The online medium failed to do due diligence and published APC’s fabricated fake news. The figures published by the DMO have now exposed the falsehood and fake news. The fact remains that Governor Adeleke has not taken any loans. There is transparency and accountability in this government. We are concerned about the welfare of the people and we will keep doing that,” Rasheed said.

However, Olabisi, who said the facts available pointed to an increase in the debt portfolio, added that whatever being said by the government about the report was an afterthought.

He said, “Whatever he is pushing to the public now regarding the state debt portfolio is an afterthought which cannot be relied upon. We didn’t cook what was published as it affects the debt portfolio of the state government under Adeleke.

“It is in the public domain already. Where did Olawale (Rasheed) get his figures? It is known to all and sundry. More so, he should stop blaming us for whatever mess they are creating for themselves. They can’t continue to blame us for their ineptitude.”
PUNCH

Related Topics:ADELEKE Osun Osun government

Up Next

INEC Chair Commends Ghana’s Election

Don't Miss

Fayemi Congratulates Ghana’s President-elect, Wants Africa Leaders To Lear

Comments

Politics

Jonathan’s Ex-aide Dumps PDP For APC

Published

12 hours ago

October 18, 2025

Editor

A former Senior Special Assistant on Domestic Matters and Social Events to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Waripamo-owei Dudafa, has formally announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party and joined the All Progressive Congress.

Dudafa, a former member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, announced his resignation from the PDP in a statement he issued on Saturday in Yenagoa.

In the letter of resignation addressed to the Chairman, PDP, Southern Opokuma/Ayibabiri Ward 8 in Kolokuma Opukuma Local Government Area, he stated that his decision to quit the PDP followed a period of deep reflection and consultation with his political associates, supporters, and family members.

The letter read in part: “It is with a heavy heart that I tender my resignation from the People’s Democratic Party effective immediately. Throughout my time with the party, I have been deeply committed to our shared values and goals, and it has been an honour to work with so many dedicated individuals.”

Dudafa stated that the unresolved disputes, particularly at the national level, “have significantly impeded our ability to move forward, rather they create an environment of conflict that’s no longer conducive to advancing the shared values and objectives.”

He said: “While this decision has been difficult, I remain committed to serving the best interests of our people, motivated by my dedication to their welfare and progress.”

Announcing his decision to join the APC, he said: “After careful reflection and consideration, I have decided to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), a platform I believe offers renewed hope, unity and a stronger foundation to address the challenges facing our dear state.”

To the members of the APC, Dudafa wrote, “I look forward to working alongside new colleagues who share this vision.”

He expressed appreciation to the PDP for the relationships and experiences he gained during his time in the PDP and wished the party well in overcoming its present challenges.

Political observers are of the opinion that his resignation could signal realignments ahead of future political developments in Bayelsa State and at the national level.

Politics

Why Wike Is Always Attacking Peter Obi — Obidient Movement

Published

2 days ago

October 17, 2025

Editor

The Obidient Movement has criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over his recent comments describing Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, as a “social media president.”

Wike had, on Thursday, accused Obi of playing politics with national issues after the former Anambra State governor visited a local authority school in the FCT and lamented the poor condition of public facilities.

“I hear one of the social media presidential candidates went to a local authority school and said the government has abandoned public schools. His name is Mr Peter Obi. It’s not everything you must play politics with,” Wike had said.

However, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Yunusa Tanko, dismissed Wike’s comments, saying they were aimed at keeping the minister in the news.

“How will Wike sell his market if he doesn’t mention Peter Obi?” Tanko asked. “As I am talking to you, you need to see the mammoth crowd we have in our town hall meeting here in Nnewi (Anambra State).”

Tanko further dismissed the FCT minister as the least of the Obi and his followers’ worries and defended Obi’s comments on the state of public schools in the country’s capital, insisting that the Wike merely drew attention to a national concern.

He stressed that Obi’s comment on the state of public facilities in the FCT was to point out that they are in dire need of attention, saying, “I was there on the ground and saw those dilapidated buildings. We also visited a clinic where only one nurse was on duty. Even the roads to the place are not easily accessible.”

Politics

JUST IN: Rivers Cancels N134bn Secretariat Contract, Demands N20bn Refund

Published

3 days ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

The Rivers State Executive Council has cancelled a ₦134 billion contract awarded by the former sole administrator of the state, Vice Admiral Ikot Ete Ibas (retd), for the reconstruction of the State Secretariat complex in Port Harcourt.

The contract, awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation during the period of emergency rule under Ibas, was nullified by the Council at its meeting on Thursday.

Following the cancellation, the Council directed CCECC to refund the ₦20 billion mobilisation fee already paid for the project.

Also, the Council approved the constitution of a six-member committee chaired by Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Odu to assess and recommend suitable locations for the construction of Computer-Based Test centres across the state to support external examinations.

The Council also mandated the state’s flood control committee, also headed by Odu, to take urgent measures to mitigate flooding in affected areas, while cautioning residents against blocking drainage channels.

More to come…