The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Osun State has defended Governor Ademola Adeleke following allegations of a ₦13.7 billion annual payroll fraud raised by the All Progressives Congress.
In a statement issued in Osogbo on Friday by the Chairman, Sunday Bisi, the party described the accusation as misleading and linked it to what it termed a disputed audit exercise covering a period before the current administration assumed office.
According to the PDP, the staff audit referenced by the opposition examined payroll records from 2018 to November 2022, years largely under APC leadership.
The party maintained that any irregularities discovered within that timeframe should be attributed to those who oversaw the system at the time.
“The audit period predates Governor Adeleke’s tenure. Responsibility for any discrepancies must rest with those who managed the payroll architecture during those years,” the statement read.
The PDP further argued that the present administration had strengthened financial controls since taking office, citing compliance with digital payroll systems and Treasury Single Account procedures.
It added that Governor Adeleke had openly welcomed scrutiny by anti-corruption agencies, saying such a move demonstrated transparency rather than culpability.
“A government that invites investigation cannot logically be accused of concealing wrongdoing,” the party stated.
The statement also questioned the credibility of the consultant’s report at the centre of the controversy, noting that the consultant allegedly declined to participate in a joint review process proposed by the state authorities.
The PDP claimed that several legitimately employed workers, including lecturers and senior civil servants, were reportedly listed as ghost workers in the audit findings, a development it said required further verification.
While urging the APC to submit any evidence of fraud to relevant investigative bodies, the party maintained that media briefings were not substitutes for formal petitions to law enforcement agencies.
The PDP reiterated its confidence in Governor Adeleke’s commitment to accountability and expressed readiness to cooperate with any credible investigation aimed at clarifying the payroll audit findings.
Recall that on Friday, the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, alleged the existence of a N13.7 billion annual payroll fraud under the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
The party also called on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to commence a comprehensive probe.
The claim was made during a world press conference addressed by the state party chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, in Osogbo on Friday.
Lawal said disclosures credited to the Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sally Tibbot Consulting Limited, Saadat Ottun, had vindicated the party’s long-held concerns about the state government’s payroll system.
Lawal alleged that the revelation confirmed what he described as serious irregularities within the administration, urging anti-corruption agencies to scrutinise the matter.
The Osun State Government had earlier strongly refuted allegations of a ₦13 billion payroll scam.
Osun APC, state govt clash over alleged N13.7bn payroll fraud
The state government had in a statement by Kolapo Alimi, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, described the renewed claims as fake news sponsored by the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The government insisted that no such fraud existed, stressing that verification of the controversial audit report showed that more than two-thirds of those labelled as ghost workers were genuine staff with proper identification and documentation.
₦13.7bn Payroll Audit: Alleged records predates Adeleke’s tenure – Osun PDP blasts APC