Osun Assembly seeks clarification on debt profile, residents react

The Osun State House of Assembly has expressed concern about the State Governor’s claim that the state’s debt profile is N407.32 billion.

The Assembly, in a statement signed by Kunle Akande, Chairman of the House Committee on Information and Publicity on Thursday, stated that as the people’s representatives, they were obligated to seek clarification.

“The Assembly as the accredited representatives of the people is duty bound to seek clarifications and inform the people of the State accordingly.

“In this regard, we have instructed the appropriate agencies of government to immediately furnish the House with the updated details of the State’s debt and financial profile.

“We hereby urge all investors and business owners not to be alarmed by the State’s debt profile,” he said.

During a meeting with the Osun State Council of Traditional Rulers on Thursday, Governor Ademola Adeleke revealed that the state was in debt to the tune of N407.32 billion.

During the meeting, the Governor also informed the monarchs that the Adegboyega Oyetola administration obtained loans immediately following the July 16, 2022 gubernatorial election and that there was no repayment schedule for the loans.

He also demanded that the outgoing governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, account for how the loan was spent since it was obtained on the State’s behalf.

In response, Ismail Omipidan, former governor Oyetola’s media aide, stated that the administration did not seek any bank loan during the four years he presided over the affairs of the state.

Omipidan maintained that the claim that his principal obtained loans was absurd, malicious, and far from the truth.

He urged Adeleke to make public the details of the outstanding loan facilities.

Meanwhile, residents of Osun State have reacted to the Adeleke administration’s public disclosure of the state’s account.

A journalist and statistical analyst, Steven Olagundoye, has urged Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke to focus on governance and administration rather than waging a war on his predecessor.

He reminded the governor that he was elected to be governor of the state, not to carry out a vendetta against his predecessor.

“Adeleke should ease up. He had stated that he would hit the ground running. If this is what is meant by “hitting the ground running,” then he’s not off to a good start.

“At this rate, he may squander the goodwill he is enjoying from the people of the State. He is to govern the state rather than fight a personal battle with his predecessor.

“I suppose he has some bottled up emotions from 2018, but he should realize that God and the people put him there, and he didn’t get there on his own.”

Abdulsalam Salawu, an Osun-based baker, praised Governor Adeleke for taking the steps because he needed to distinguish his administration from that of his predecessor.

He did, however, warn the governor not to take it so far that he is unable to distinguish between a personal battle and working for the people who elected him.

“Disclosing the State’s debt profile is a good thing, but for what purpose? As a governor, you inherit both assets and liabilities because government is a continuum.

“Do not distinguish your administration from that of your predecessors. Osun has one government, which is the Osun State Government, which has gone through various administrations but is still the Osun State Government.”

In response, a civil servant, Omoniyi Joshua, stated that the government’s action was appropriate.

He insisted that all steps taken thus far had been in the right direction in bringing the people up to speed on the many alleged wrongdoings of the Adegboyega Oyetola administration.

He urged the new State governor to build on his predecessor’s accomplishments and deliver on his promises.

“The State governor on Monday promised to effect a positive change in his first 100 days in office and we look forward to that. Whatever the governor is doing now, I believe he has good intentions.

“So far, he has not sacked anybody, he has promised to be governor for everyone. He has formed a committee to investigate the situation and make recommendations for how to proceed. That is a good thing, and we are pleased that he has begun in this manner.

“We would also like our governor to consolidate. Get to work, form a cabinet, and begin delegating authority. The review committees should work quickly to complete the recommendations.

“He should be flexible where necessary and rigid where necessary, but the wheel of government must keep turning.”