The Digest:
The Osun State Government has responded to criticism regarding its N1.7 billion expenditure on meals, official travel, and facility maintenance over six months, calling the reports misleading and politically motivated.
Key Points:
- The N1.7bn includes costs for meals, refreshments, cleaning, fumigation, and official travel, covering over 100 government agencies.
- The state spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, dismissed reports as "mischievous" and politically driven.
- Only a minimal portion of the travel costs is linked to Governor Adeleke, who mainly uses his family-owned private jet for his trips.
- The majority of international travel and training costs were for capacity-building programs for government officials in preparation for the 2026 elections.
- Rasheed emphasized that these expenditures were necessary for improving governance and public service effectiveness.
- The state government made the details publicly available on its website to ensure transparency and counter the claims of misappropriation.
Osun State's government defends its N1.7bn expenditure on meals, official travel, and training, calling accusations of wasteful spending politically motivated. They argue the costs are essential for capacity-building and improving state governance ahead of the 2026 elections.
Sources: Punch, Tribune
