Politics

No New Security Vehicles: Yet Osun Govt Spends N9.7bn on Security in 30 Months — Triple What Oyetola Spent in Four Years

Published by Tope Fakinlede on August 15th, 2025.

No New Security Vehicles: Yet Osun Govt Spends N9.7bn on Security in 30 Months — Triple What Oyetola Spent in Four Years

By Adebayo Adedeji

Governor Adeleke

Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration has raised fresh concerns over transparency and fiscal discipline, following revelations that over N9.7 billion has been spent on security-related matters in just 30 months — a figure nearly three times higher than what ex-Governor Gboyega Oyetola’s administration spent over 48 months.

Despite repeated public assurances from Governor Adeleke that his administration had not dipped into Security Votes, recent budget performance reports suggest otherwise. These contradictions have led to growing scrutiny, particularly from the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), which has accused the administration of misrepresentation and excessive spending.

In defense of the figures, the Governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, introduced a curious distinction, claiming the Adeleke-led government does not use “Security Votes” in the way Nigerians commonly understand them. However, this ambiguous explanation does little to justify the ballooning costs.

A Breakdown of the Numbers

Security-related expenses in the state are generally grouped under three categories: Security Services, Security Votes, and Rescue Services.

In 2023, the state spent N2.64 billion:

Security Services: N527 million

Security Votes: N2.09 billion

Rescue Services: N32.3 million

(Source: Page 27, Osun State Budget Performance Report 2023)

In 2024, security spending jumped to N3.59 billion:

Security Services: N2.01 billion

Rescue Services: N1.58 billion

(Source: Page 48, Accountant General’s Report 2024)

In just the first half of 2025, the state has already spent N3.57 billion:

Security Services: N3.17 billion

Security Votes: N320 million

Rescue Services: N10.7 million

(Source: Page 40, Q2 2025 Budget Performance Report)

Questionable Priorities

What stands out is the staggering rise in spending under Rescue Services—from just N32.3 million in 2023 to N1.58 billion in 2024. Was Osun State facing a large-scale internal conflict or natural disaster to justify such an increase? This amount is even more striking when compared to 2020, when amid the COVID-19 crisis and nationwide #EndSARS protests, the state spent just N30 million on the same item under Oyetola.

Furthermore, despite these massive allocations, not a single security vehicle or operational tool has reportedly been procured since Adeleke assumed office — a stark contrast to Oyetola’s administration, which provided over 20 vehicles to bolster security operations in 2022.

The figures raise difficult but necessary questions: Is the money being wisely spent? Are these funds actually addressing security needs, or are they being misappropriated? If the rise in spending isn’t matched by improved infrastructure or reduced insecurity, then what exactly is the justification?

Governor Adeleke owes the people of Osun a clear and honest explanation. With public trust and state resources at stake, the citizens deserve transparency, not ambiguous statements or questionable figures.