The All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally called for the resignation of Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State following claims of an alleged N13.7 billion payroll fraud under his administration.
An audit report by a private firm, Salivot Consulting Limited, alleged that a forensic payroll verification uncovered annual payments totaling N13,716,914,129.28 to alleged ghost workers and pensioners in Osun State’s payroll system.
The report included claims that certain bank accounts received multiple salary disbursements intended for non‑existent employees.
The APC’s call for resignation comes amid these assertions and pending responses from state institutions. The report has also prompted statements from government officials disputing the findings.
At a press conference in Osogbo, the APC’s Director of Media, Chief Kola Olabisi, speaking on behalf of party chairman Tajudeen Lawal, said the people of Osun State deserve transparent and accountable leadership.
Chief Olabisi stated, “The people of Osun State deserve transparent, responsible, and accountable leadership.
The N13.6 billion public fund being paid to ghost workers and siphoned by the friends of the governor can be judiciously used to give a good life to no fewer than 50,000 Osun youths.”
He also urged Nigeria’s anti‑corruption agencies, including the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to investigate the alleged payroll fraud and determine culpability.
Former Commissioner for Local Government Hon. Adebayo Adeleke, cited by the APC, repeated the demand that Governor Adeleke resign, asserting that the circumstances validate their concerns.
The Osun State Government, through Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment Kolapo Alimi, has rejected the alleged payroll fraud claims.
The government stated that verification of the audit report showed more than two‑thirds of those identified as ghost workers were legitimate staff with proper documentation.
The state government also said Governor Adeleke was open to anti‑corruption agency investigations and that the audit was initiated by his administration to address inherited payroll issues.
The APC’s demand for the governor’s resignation places pressure on Osun State’s political leadership amid fiscal accountability concerns.
The call for investigations by the ICPC and EFCC indicates that federal anti‑corruption bodies may engage with the payroll audit findings.
The Osun State Government’s rebuttal asserts that the reported fraud claims are unfounded and influenced by political motivations.
These contrasting positions could lead to formal reviews by relevant oversight bodies.
