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From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
Osun State Government has denied the allegation by the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), that it awarded contracts to cronies and political allies because of second-term ambition.
The state Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, on Monday said the state is not raising money for the 2026 election, saying “All contracts awarded by our administration followed due process and the N100b infra plan was properly launched.
“It is laughable to allege a governor who never collected security votes of getting money through contracts. They thought the project would not be possible but it is materializing,” Alimi said.
The APM had challenged Governor Ademola Adeleke to prioritize competence and merit in awarding contracts, rather than favouring only the cronies and political allies.
The party in a statement by its Chairman in Osun, Hon. Wale Adebayo, said information available to the party revealed that the Adeleke administration has given contracts to cronies to fund his second-term ambition.
The party urged Adeleke to ensure transparency and accountability in his administration’s procurement processes and to allow qualified and competent contractors to contribute to the development of the state.
“By awarding contracts to competent contractors, rather than cronies, Governor Adeleke can demonstrate his commitment to good governance and deliver quality projects that will benefit the people of Osun State,” Adebayo said.
The party also warned against the dangers of cronyism and nepotism, saying that such practices can lead to corruption, mismanagement, and waste of public resources.
“We urge Governor Adeleke to prioritize the interests of the state and its people and to ensure that public contracts are awarded based on merit and competence, rather than political connections or personal relationships.
“It is imperative for government contracts to be awarded to qualified and competent contractors who can deliver quality work, rather than to cronies or friends of those in power.
“Awarding contracts based on merit and competence, Governor Adeleke can help promote good governance and deliver valuable projects that benefit the people of Osun State.
“This will not only enhance the quality of projects but also boost public trust and confidence in the government. By prioritizing competence and merit, Governor Adeleke can demonstrate his commitment to good governance and leave a lasting legacy in Osun State.
“It is time to put the state’s resources to work for the benefit of all citizens, rather than just a select few.
“The former Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), stated that the award of contracts to cronies must stop, as it will only dent the image of the government in the eyes of the public.
“The unnecessary upheaval caused by the award of contracts to a company belonging to the Deputy Speaker should be avoided going forward,” Adebayo added.
