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Drone Scandal: Imole Campaign Council Demands Answers From Omowaiye Over Alleged N120m Deal
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Drone Scandal: Imole Campaign Council Demands Answers From Omowaiye Over Alleged N120m Deal
By Waliu Adetokun, Osogbo
The Imole Campaign Council has asked the spokesperson of the AMBO Campaign Organisation, Remi Omowaiye, to respond to allegations surrounding the procurement of 20 drones during his tenure as commissioner under the administrations of former governors Rauf Aregbesola and Gboyega Oyetola.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee of the council, Bamidele Salam, the group alleged that the drone procurement deal, reportedly worth over N120 million in 2017, was marred by irregularities and possible abuse of office.
The council said the allegations, which it claimed had remained in the public domain for weeks, bordered on “criminal abuse of office, gross financial recklessness, procurement violations and outright betrayal of public trust.”
According to the statement, the contract was allegedly executed without due process, while funds for the project were reportedly sourced from local government allocations.
The council further alleged that payment for the drones was made in foreign currency and that additional funds were spent on clearing charges, yet no drones were delivered to Osun State throughout the lifespan of the two APC administrations.
It queried: “Where are the 20 drones paid for with Osun taxpayers’ money?
Who received the payments for the procurement and clearing of the drones?
Why was the procurement process allegedly circumvented?
What happened to the drones after payment was completed?”
The campaign council also questioned why local government funds were allegedly used for the transaction and accused Omowaiye of remaining silent despite public discussions surrounding the allegations.
The statement described the drone procurement issue as one of several controversial projects allegedly carried out under Omowaiye’s supervision during the APC administration.
“Mr Omowaiye should stop playing to the gallery and begin preparing comprehensive explanations not only on the drone procurement issue but also on several other allegations of reckless financial mismanagement and corruption that characterised the APC administration in Osun State,” the statement said.
The council also criticised the opposition for attacking the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke, which it described as transparent and accountable.
It called on anti-corruption agencies and security institutions to investigate the allegations and ensure that any public funds involved were accounted for.
“We sincerely hope that Mr Omowaiye’s continued silence on these weighty allegations is not an indication of the kind of government the APC intends to foist once again on the people of Osun State,” the statement added.
