Osun funds security through budget, not security vote – Adeleke

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has reiterated that his administration does not operate the traditional “security vote” system, stating that security services in the state are funded strictly through the budgetary process.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, on Friday in Osogbo, the governor said the state has no slush fund, adding that all security-related expenditures are carried out in line with public finance laws and regulations.

According to him, such expenditures include operational support for security agencies, funding of crisis management operations, support for peace-building activities, and financing of the state security outfit, Amotekun. He noted that all are processed through statutory approval procedures, which involve raising memos and complying with government payment processes.

Adeleke explained that the policy was adopted to ensure that available funds are directed toward developmental priorities such as infrastructure, agriculture, health, workers’ salaries, pensions, and outstanding salary debts.

“I am proud to declare that the Osun State Government under my watch does not operate a slush fund that our media friends call security votes. Our security needs are met through the approval process. I face resistance over the policy, but I stick to it even at great cost,” he stated.

“My motivation for insisting on the policy was the situation I met on the ground in November 2022. I believe Osun needs every kobo to meet her numerous developmental challenges. Our earnings from FAAC allocations and internally generated revenues are channeled to key sectoral projects from infrastructure to agriculture to health, among others.

“We also target payment of workers’ emoluments, pensions, and outstanding salary debts. We maintain a delicate balance on expenditure across human and infrastructure sectors, and within less than three years, we have good records widely verified by local and national stakeholders,” the governor added.

Adeleke noted that his administration demonstrated foresight early by creating a special project account where unexpected inflows from FAAC are saved, describing the initiative as a shock absorber and a smart way to ensure completion of ongoing infrastructure projects in the state.