By John Dike, Osogbo
Osun State Ademola Adeleke has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to funding security services strictly through the budgetary process.
He stressed that “under my watch, we do not operate security votes in the sense Nigerians understand them.”
The governor, in a statement on Fridayby his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, clarified that the state does not maintain any slush fund under the guise of security votes. Instead, all security-related expenditures are processed in accordance with the state’s public finance laws and regulations.
Adeleke outlined the scope of these expenditures, which include: Operational support for security agencies operating in the state, supporting funding for conflict resolution and communal peacekeeping activities and financial backing for the State Security Network, Amotekun, among others
He noted that “These expenses are subject to the statutory approval process—requiring formal memos and adherence to established government payment protocols.”
“I am proud to declare that under my administration, Osun State does not run a slush fund disguised as a security vote.
“Every security-related expenditure is approved transparently. Despite facing resistance, I have upheld this policy—even at significant political cost.”
He explained that his decision was shaped by the financial realities he encountered upon assuming office in November 2022.
Given the state’s limited resources, Adeleke said his administration is committed to directing every available naira toward addressing Osun’s development challenges.
He identified the key priorities as Infrastructure development, Agriculture, Healthcare and timely payment of workers’ salaries, pensions, and clearing salary arrears
“We maintain a careful balance between human and infrastructural development. In less than three years, our achievements have been widely acknowledged by both local and national stakeholders,” he added.
To ensure financial stability, the Governor revealed that a Special Project Account was created early in his administration to safeguard unexpected FAAC inflows. This reserve serves as a fiscal buffer and supports the completion of ongoing infrastructure projects across the state.
While expressing hope for a swift resolution of the Osun local government fund seizure, Adeleke reassured residents and stakeholders that his administration remains fully committed to delivering on its human capital and infrastructure development goals.
