The Osun State Government and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have clashed over an alleged N300 million corruption scandal said to involve a senior civil servant in the state.

In a statement signed by its Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, the APC accused Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration of protecting a female Permanent Secretary allegedly implicated in the diversion of public funds.

The opposition party claimed that certain political appointees were exploiting what it described as weaknesses in the current administration to enrich themselves.

“We ask: why is the Adeleke administration, which claims to uphold transparency and the rule of law, shielding a female Permanent Secretary found to have embezzled over N300 million?” the APC queried.

The party further alleged that the state government was secretly handling the matter, claiming that an arrangement had been made for the accused official to refund the money instead of facing prosecution.

“A government that claims to be transparent cannot treat such a serious corruption case in secrecy,” the statement added.

The APC also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the matter and ensure that justice is served. It further alleged that the civil servant in question was married to a serving commissioner in Adeleke’s cabinet.

Reacting, the Osun State Government dismissed the allegations, describing them as “fabricated rumours turned into political propaganda.”

In a statement by the Governor’s Spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the government insisted that no such scandal existed in any of its ministries or agencies.

“There is no N300 million scam or scandal in any arm of the Osun State Government. Governor Ademola Adeleke runs an open and transparent administration,” Rasheed stated.

He accused the APC of deliberately spreading falsehoods to divert public attention from its waning popularity in the state.

According to him, the state operates under a strict procurement process that prevents any official from accessing such large sums without due oversight.

“Osun runs a procurement system guided by due process and approval thresholds. It is impossible for any ministry official to handle that volume of funds independently,” he explained.

Rasheed reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability, warning that legal action might be taken against those behind the allegations.

“The claims are baseless, defamatory, and purely imaginary. Legal consequences will follow for those spreading false information,” he warned.

He further described Governor Adeleke as a leader who upholds openness and integrity in governance.

“Governor Adeleke neither tolerates nor protects corruption in any form. If any misconduct arises, it will be addressed decisively,” Rasheed concluded.