Ibikunle Amosun Accuses Senator Adeola Of Diverting Federal Funds: A Battle Over Transparency

Ex-Governor Ibikunle Amosun Blasts Senator Adeola Over Alleged Project Diversion

It’s a political showdown in Ogun State, folks. Former Governor Ibikunle Amosun is throwing shade at Senator Olamilekan Adeola, accusing him of misusing federal funds meant for a specific project. The drama centers around a library construction project in Abeokuta facilitated by Senator Adeola. But here’s the twist: the project board at the site reads, "Renovation of Ake Pavilion Roofing and other Facilities, Ogun State." That’s not what the senator originally promised, and Amosun is not having it.

According to Amosun, this discrepancy suggests that funds allocated for the renovation of the Ake Pavilion—a project Amosun himself initiated—are being diverted to an entirely different project. Now, you might be wondering, why does this matter? Well, this isn’t just about a library or a pavilion; it’s about accountability, transparency, and ensuring that taxpayer money is used as intended. Let’s break it down further.

Amosun Speaks Out: The Accusation

In a statement delivered by his media aide, Lanre Akinwale, Amosun pointed out that the library project in question has absolutely no connection to the ongoing construction of the Ake Pavilion. He emphasized that the Ake Pavilion project, which is nearly completed, is being entirely funded out of his own pocket. It’s a massive undertaking, folks, featuring an impressive amphitheater, banquet halls, a museum, and more. Amosun initiated this project back in 2019, during his tenure as governor, envisioning it as a tourist attraction for the state.

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Amosun’s statement reads, “Our attention has been drawn to a Library construction project at the Ewang Estate Extension, Abeokuta, facilitated by Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola. However, the project board erected at the site of the library project has a different inscription, tagged, ‘Renovation of Ake Pavilion Roofing and other Facilities, Ogun State.’ What this simply connotes is that there is a budget in the Federal Appropriation for the Ake Pavilion project, which is being diverted to an entirely different project. Otherwise, how could the facilitator of the library project inscribe a narration entirely different from what he facilitated?”

The Ake Pavilion Project: A Legacy in the Making

Let’s talk about the Ake Pavilion project for a moment. It’s not just any project—it’s a labor of love for Amosun. The 95% completed pavilion includes a 3,000-capacity amphitheater, three banquet halls with varying capacities, a museum, and administrative blocks. All of this is being funded by Amosun’s personal resources, making it a significant personal investment in the state’s infrastructure. He stresses that this project was never part of his constituency projects when he served as Ogun Central Senator from 2019 to 2023.

Amosun’s statement continues, “For the avoidance of doubt, there is only one Ake Pavilion Project, and it is located at the Ake Palace Ground, Abeokuta. The project was conceptualized and designed as a tourist attraction center by Senator Ibikunle Amosun during the twilight of his administration as Governor in 2019. The actual construction of the multi-functional Ake Pavilion started in 2020, and the project was never part of his constituency projects when he served as Ogun Central Senator (2019-2023).”

He adds, “While Senator Amosun welcomes the facilitation of Federal Government-funded projects to Ogun State, it is essential to ensure that such projects are done with sincerity and without misrepresenting facts. We advise Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola to provide accurate information to the people of Ogun State, especially Abeokuta, regarding the library project he facilitated to Ewang Estate Extension.”

Senator Adeola’s Swift Defense

Not one to back down, Senator Adeola quickly responded to the allegations, denying any wrongdoing. His spokesman, Kayode Odunaro, argued that there’s no evidence of project diversion. He explained, “As stated in the statement of Senator Amosun, the inscription on the project is ‘Renovation of Ake Pavilion Roofing and Other Facilities, Ogun State.’ For those not familiar with budgetary terms, the phrase ‘and other facilities, Ogun State’ indicates that the project wasn’t confined to the Ake Pavilion alone. It could include construction of roads, schools, libraries, etc., in Ogun State, as determined by the implementing agency and facilitator of the project in the budget, based on the availability of funds.”

Odunaro admitted that there was indeed a budget for the renovation of the Ake Pavilion, but he insists that the funds are being used appropriately, in line with the broader scope of the project. This explanation, however, hasn’t convinced everyone, and the debate rages on.

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What’s Next?

This situation highlights the importance of transparency in public projects. As the dust settles, it’s crucial for both parties to provide clear, verifiable evidence to support their claims. For the people of Ogun State, this is more than just a political spat—it’s about ensuring that the resources allocated for their communities are used effectively and honestly. Whether it’s building libraries, pavilions, or anything in between, accountability should always be the priority. Stay tuned as this story unfolds.