Adeleke Refutes Allegations of Cutting Monthly Allocations for Traditional Rulers in Osun
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has refuted allegations that his administration slashed the monthly allocation of traditional rulers by 2.5%.
He stated that he prioritizes the welfare of the state over his gains and is not interested in government money, saying he is committed to contributing towards the betterment of the state.
During a monthly meeting held at the Finance Building in Abere on Thursday, January 4, traditional rulers expressed their concerns about the current administration’s reduction of their statutory allocation.
In response to their grievances, Adeleke explained that the monthly allocation for traditional rulers varies, which is why the 5% deduction is being affected.
The traditional rulers during a closed-door meeting with Governor Adeleke ahead of the open meeting lamented that the state government is taking from the 5 percent meant for the traditional rulers monthly, leaving only 2.5 percent for the kings.
Adeleke added that he was cheated in 2018 but God made things beautiful in it time, I am now the governor, I promised God that I will do well because he has blessed me, I don’t need the money of Osun State, I will rather add my money for the state. I promise you, the kings that you will enjoy this government bountifully.
I am a prudent administrator, I never collected any loans since my administration. I have risked my life to Abuja for the sake of Osun state to oppose and fight the FG that they have removed subsidy. We have collected N7b in three tranches and we agreed that it will be spent on infrastructure. Your money is intact.
He added: “On the deduction, I have regard for the traditional rulers. The money that enters the account always varies, I don’t have control over it. I have fought them at the NEC meeting that it is affecting us because it drops drastically sometimes, whatever the FG gives us is what we will share. The deduction is not static, allocations are determined, and there is no deliberate deduction of 5% from statutory allocation. So whatever we receive is what we will look at for your money.
Meanwhile, Adeleke also assured that a white paper on the suspended monarchs will be published next week. He also promised that he would enroll traditional rulers into Osun State Health Insurance Scheme (OHIS) and buy new cars for them.