Barrister Abiodun Aribisala, Founder and CEO of the Aribisala Care Foundation, an international tax consultant, and a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, has raised concerns over alleged extravagant spending by the Osun State government. In a recent statement, he criticized the administration led by Governor Nurudeen Ademola Jackson Adeleke for reportedly spending over N527 million on refreshments and meals within nine months.
Aribisala, through a release issued by his media team, questioned the state’s priorities, calling the expenditure a “deceptive tactic” to mislead the people of Osun State. He asserted that Governor Adeleke, who allegedly utilized substantial foreign currency during his campaign, continues to spend Osun’s resources irresponsibly.
According to Aribisala, the N527 million expenditure on refreshments far exceeds funds allocated to essential sectors in the state. For instance, he highlighted that only N297 million was reportedly allocated to the University Teaching Hospital in Osogbo for capital projects, and a mere N45.6 million went to the Osun State Hospitals Management Board.
The APC stalwart pointed out the disparity between these allocations, arguing that the government is prioritizing hospitality over critical healthcare needs. “It is shocking that our state would allocate more funds to refreshments than to our primary healthcare institutions,” he said.
In a financial breakdown, Aribisala emphasized that Osun State’s refreshment spending exceeded the revenue earned from direct assessment tax. He noted that while the state generated N378 million from direct assessment tax, it still expended N527 million on food and drinks, indicating a budget shortfall.
The international tax consultant argued that such spending habits suggest fiscal mismanagement and a misalignment with the state’s pressing needs. “Allocating this much to refreshments while neglecting key areas sends the wrong message to the citizens of Osun,” he added.
He further criticized that the N527 million spent on refreshments represents about 5% of Osun State’s internally generated revenue for the first three quarters of the year, which he believes could have been better invested in vital public services.
Aribisala urged the state government to prioritize spending on critical sectors, such as healthcare and education, instead of what he described as unnecessary expenditures. He called on Governor Adeleke to adopt a more transparent approach in managing the state’s finances, stressing that every naira should be accounted for.
