Accord challenges Oyebamiji to explain role in $20m health grant
By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –
The Accord Party in Osun State has challenged the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Oyebamiji, to explain his alleged role in the mismanagement of a $20 million World Bank primary health care grant during former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola’s administration.
In a statement on Tuesday, the party said Oyebamiji, who served as Commissioner for Finance and Chairman of the State Procurement Board at the time, allegedly allowed the illegal sharing of primary health care contracts in violation of state laws.
Pastor Victor Akande, the state chairman, demanded clarification on what transpired at a procurement board meeting attended by other commissioners, questioning whether its resolutions conformed with state procurement laws.
He also raised concerns about the report submitted by the board to the State Executive Council, which allegedly facilitated the allocation of contracts linked to the grant without following due process.
Akande said government records contain full details of the transactions and urged Oyebamiji to be transparent, noting that residents deserve to know how the $20 million grant was spent.
Reacting, the Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji Media Front dismissed the allegations as baseless, insisting that World Bank-funded projects are subject to strict international auditing standards.
The group, through its coordinator Adebayo Adedeji, highlighted that Oyebamiji’s administration revitalised 322 primary health care centres across Osun State and rehabilitated several general hospitals, including the construction of modern doctors’ quarters at the State General Hospital, Asubiaro, Osogbo.
The media front added that the World Bank had acknowledged the proper management of the grant, accusing critics of attempting to tarnish Oyebamiji’s reputation.
