Osun 2026: APC candidate AMBO alleges security trust fund targeted at Adeleke’s re-election bid

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Osun State, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), has alleged that the state government plans to deploy funds from the newly established Security Trust Fund to support Governor Ademola Adeleke’s 2026 re-election campaign.

The state government had earlier unveiled the initiative through its Chairman of Media and Publicity, Kunle Adepoju, describing it as a measure to strengthen security agencies’ logistics and address emerging threats.

However, Oyebamiji, through the Coordinator of his Media Fronts, Adebayo Adedeji, in a statement on Wednesday, questioned the initiative's timing, citing concerns over transparency and public trust.

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He said, “We have it on reliable authority that the proposed Osun State Security Trust Fund is intended to raise campaign funds for the re-election of Governor Ademola Adeleke. The intention, contrary to public claims, is not genuinely for security.”

Adedeji further alleged that the state government is seeking alternative funding sources after losing control over local government allocations, which APC-led officials now manage.

He also claimed that the state’s financial position has weakened, with increasing scrutiny from anti-graft agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According to him, the EFCC is investigating alleged irregularities involving the N11.9 billion ecological fund allocated to the state in 2025, as well as the purported diversion of Universal Basic Education funds received since 2023.

Adedeji added that there are ongoing investigations involving the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye, whose company, Akinkas Interbiz Limited, is reportedly being probed over alleged contract irregularities linked to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND).

He advised, “The people of Osun and well-meaning corporate organizations should be wary of donating their hard-earned resources to this so-called security initiative, as the Adeleke administration has demonstrated a pattern of diverting funds meant for public use. A notable example is the N2 billion federal government grant given to the state in 2023 to procure modern buses aimed at easing the economic burden following the removal of fuel subsidy.”

“The Adeleke administration has established a troubling and disgusting record of financial mismanagement. Within 40 months, the government has received close to N1 trillion in revenue. Out of this, nearly N100 billion has been spent on the Governor’s office. Specifically, N2.6 billion was spent on security in 2023, N3.18 billion in 2024, and N9.19 billion in 2025, totaling N14.98 billion over three years. Yet, the government has not procured a single operational vehicle for security agencies—not even motorcycles.”

The gubernatorial candidate said, “If the governor could not account for the huge fund received by him in the last three years, what moral justification does he have now to be appealing to and cajoling individuals and corporate bodies to donate to a purported security fund just four months before a governorship election?”

He advised citizens and organizations genuinely interested in enhancing state security to directly purchase security vehicles and equipment and donate them to the appropriate security agencies.

“The people must not allow themselves to be misled or exploited by the Adeleke government. Public resources and goodwill must not be used to sustain a failing administration.” Oyebamiji ended.