The former Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Adewale Adebayo, has clashed with the Osun State Government over the alleged failure to account for over N135 billion in excess revenue not reflected in the 2024 budget.

Adebayo, who also serves as the Osun State Chairman of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), issued a statement on Saturday demanding transparency regarding the utilization of the surplus funds generated in 2024.

“The 2024 budget approved by the State House of Assembly was set at N273 billion, outlining a clear framework for revenue and expenditure. However, reports suggest that the state has generated N408 billion, leaving a surplus of N135 billion,” Adebayo claimed.

He called for the government to publish a comprehensive financial report detailing how the excess funds were allocated to projects or programs, emphasizing the need for accountability.

The APM chair also alleged that “We heard it from good authority that the Osun State Government is mopping up money through surplus budget among others against 2026 election.”

Meanwhile, Osun State Government through the Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi berated Adebayo over his claims, faulting that he failed to state the sources where Governor Ademola Adeleke led government got the money in 2024.

He said, “The allegations are very ridiculous. People just come out with figures, you should be able to state the source like FAAC and IGR. The claims by the ex-IPAC chair are a fabricated lie, our government has never and will never embark on spending money which is not budgeted for.

“It is not a surprise to us since they know that the government is performing, the only weapon they can use is blackmailing because we are performing. On the issue of mopping up money for the election, it is also another lie, that is his imagination. The election is coming up in 2026. Where did Adeleke mop up the one he used when he was not in government?”(The Nation)