KEY POINTS

• APC demands Adeleke resign over alleged payroll fraud.
• Audit claims N13.7 billion paid annually to ghost workers.
• Osun government denies Adeleke payroll fraud allegations.

Nigeria’s main opposition party in Osun State has called on Governor Ademola Adeleke to resign following allegations of N13.7 billion in annual payroll fraud uncovered during a staff audit commissioned by his administration.

The All Progressives Congress said the reported payments to alleged ghost workers point to systemic abuse within the state’s civil service and warrant investigation by federal anti-corruption agencies. The Osun State Government has denied wrongdoing and disputed the audit’s conclusions.

The controversy stems from a 2023 staff verification exercise conducted by a consultancy firm. According to the firm’s chief executive, Sa’adat Bakrin-Ottun, the state was paying N13,716,914,129.28 annually to ghost workers. She also alleged that one individual received salaries linked to 5,615 fictitious employees.

APC Escalates Adeleke Payroll Fraud Claims

Speaking at a press conference in Osogbo, APC Director of Media Kola Olabisi demanded that Adeleke step down, arguing that the funds could have supported tens of thousands of youths.

“The people of Osun State deserve transparent and accountable leadership,” Olabisi said, urging the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to investigate.

Former Commissioner for Local Government Adebayo Adeleke also called for the governor’s resignation, saying the alleged N13.7 billion in annual payments could total more than N41 billion over three years.

Osun Government Rejects Payroll Fraud Allegations

The Osun State Government dismissed the allegations, describing the Adeleke payroll fraud claims as politically motivated. Commissioner for Information Kolapo Alimi said verification of the audit report showed that more than two-thirds of those labeled ghost workers were legitimate employees with proper documentation.

Alimi added that Governor Adeleke initiated the audit to review payroll issues inherited from the administration of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola.

“If there is any fraud, it is not that of Governor Adeleke but that of the previous administration,” he said, adding that the governor remains open to investigation by anti-corruption agencies.

The dispute adds to political tensions in Osun as both parties trade accusations over fiscal management and transparency.