Alleged phony contracts: Osun APC, PDP trade words

The political atmosphere in Osun State has been charged with allegations and counter-allegations between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The APC has accused the state governor, Ademola Adeleke, of awarding multibillion naira infrastructural projects to his family members and close associates, including his elder brother, Dr. Deji Adeleke, his son, David Adeleke (popularly known as ‘Davido’), and the Deputy Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Akinyode Abidemi Oyewusi.

In a press conference held in Osogbo, the APC Chairman in the state, Tajudeen Lawal, criticized Governor Adeleke for allegedly running the affairs of the state as a private enterprise of the Adeleke dynasty.

Lawal accused the governor of flouting the 2015 Public Procurement Law of the state by awarding contracts worth N50 billion to entities with no background in road construction.

According to Lawal, the contracts were allegedly awarded to entities linked to the Adeleke family and Hon. Akinyode Abidemi Oyewusi, using business names of Dr. Deji Adeleke and his companies.

He further alleged that the contracts were awarded at exorbitant costs and to companies without a history of road construction.

In response, Deputy Speaker Akinyode Abidemi Oyewusi defended himself, stating that he had withdrawn from the company and resigned from directorship when he was elected into office.

He denied maintaining control over the company or any involvement in the bidding process after his resignation.

The Osun PDP, through its chairman, Sunday Bisi, dismissed the APC’s allegations as lies and fake news.

Bisi affirmed that the state government under Governor Adeleke is complying with extant laws and prudently deploying resources for infrastructure development.

The allegations and counter-allegations between the APC and PDP have raised concerns about transparency and accountability in the award of contracts in Osun State, prompting calls for the intervention of anti-graft agencies to investigate the matter.