Governance

Osun Government Promises Transparent Implementation of 2024 Budget

By Web News 326

By Funmi Ojo

Osun State government says it will be transparent in the implementation of the 273.9 billion naira 2024 budget of the state.

Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Professor Morufu Adeleke stated this during a news conference with newsmen to do a brief analysis and breakdown of the 2024 budget which was just passed to law by the governor, at the Finance House, Osun State Secretariat, Abere, Osogbo.

Professor Adeleke said the current government in Osun State has made it a priority to be transparent in its dealings and let the people know how the state government is managing the state resources.

The commissioner gave a quick rundown and breakdown of the budget, stating that the infrastructure sector would be taking the biggest chunk of the budget with 55.03 billion naira representing 50.10 per cent.

He said the 2024 approved budget estimate is not based on net financing as a loan, but that the budget, in turn, would be taking care of the debt commitment of the previous administration, in terms of debt servicing and payment of pension and gratuity.

Clarifying the budget for the Office of the Governor, the commissioner said the Budget for the Office of the Governor comprises of Governor’s Office, Office of the Deputy Governor, Office of the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Bureau of General Services, Bureau of Government House and Protocol, Bureau of Parastatal and Bureau of Social Services.

Professor Adeleke said the breakdown and simplified version of the state budget would soon be made available to citizens of the state, both in Yoruba and English languages.

In a remark, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Chief Kolapo Alimi noted that the government of Governor Ademola Adeleke is always ready to reveal the true state of matters in the interest of the public.

He appreciated journalists for supporting the state government through reporting its activities, urging them to sustain the ethics of journalism by balancing their reports.

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Politics

Chief Judge: Osun Government Denies Allegations of Coercing the Judiciary

By Web News 436

By Adenitan Akinola

The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Osun State have warned Governor Ademola Adeleke against any attempt to remove the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Adebola Adepele-Ojo.

The group described the move as undue interference and an attempt by the executive arm of the government to coerce the judiciary.

At a press conference jointly addressed by Mr Ayodeji Ologun of Osun Masterminds, Mr Emmanuel Olowu, Committee for Defense of Human Rights (CDHR), Mr Ismaheel Adedokun, Dialogue 360 and Mr Wole Folaranmi, Vice Chairman of Osun Civil Society Coalition, the groups maintained that it was dangerous for democracy in Osun State should the government go ahead to remove the State Chief Judge.

“This move is particularly troubling as it appears to be a reprisal against the Chief Judge for her principled stand against attempts to manipulate the judiciary in the state.”

“The independence of the judiciary is a cornerstone of any democratic society, and any attempt to undermine or interfere with the judiciary, compromises the very foundations of the rule of law.”

“The Chief Judge, in her capacity, has a constitutional duty to uphold justice and ensure the fair and impartial administration of the law. Her commitment to these principles should be celebrated, not met with attempts at removal for political reasons.”

“We hereby call on Governor Ademola Adeleke to respect the independence of the judiciary and immediately cease any attempts to remove the Chief Judge based on her principled stance. The judiciary must be allowed to operate without fear of reprisal or political interference, ensuring that justice is served impartially and without bias.”

Similarly, the groups condemned the appointment of Mr. Hashim Abloye, as the Chairman of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, OSIEC, saying it was unconstitutional to appoint a card-carrying member of the governor’s political party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to such an independent office. 

Reacting, the state government declared that it was unaware of any plot against the state Chief Judge, even as it affirms its commitment to due process and stipulated regulations across the all arms of government.

Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr Kolapo Alimi, in a statement said: “The state governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke and his team are preoccupied with delivering good governance to the citizenry with no time for diversionary conducts”.

“The governor is therefore not in a position to stop the legislature from doing her statutory job and neither can the governor hamstring the judiciary in the performance of its duties.” 

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