Osun APC Demands Adeleke's Resignation Over Alleged ₦13.7bn Payroll Fraud; Government Dismisses Claims as 'Fake News

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has called on Governor Ademola Adeleke to resign immediately over allegations of an annual ₦13.7 billion payroll fraud involving ghost workers in the state's civil service.

The demand followed revelations by Sa’adat Bakrin-Ottun, CEO of Sally Tibbot Consulting Limited—the firm contracted by the Adeleke administration in 2023 to conduct a staff verification and biometric audit. In a Channels Television interview, Bakrin-Ottun claimed the 12-month forensic exercise uncovered payments to 8,452 non-existent workers and thousands of unverified pensioners, resulting in ₦13,716,914,129.28 lost yearly. She alleged the report was submitted to the governor and his elder brother, Dr. Deji Adeleke, but not fully implemented.

Speaking at a press conference in Osogbo on Friday, February 20, 2026, APC State Chairman Tajudeen Lawal (via spokesperson Chief Kola Olabisi) described the alleged fraud as "mind-boggling" and a sign of incompetence and corruption. "N13.7 billion was syphoned in one year... We demand that Governor Ademola Adeleke should resign as Osun governor over this scandal," Olabisi stated. The party urged the EFCC and ICPC to probe the matter, including roles of named individuals, and argued the funds could support thousands of youths.

However, the Osun State Government has rejected the allegations outright. In a statement by Commissioner for Information Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, officials described the claims as "APC-sponsored fake news" and accused the consultant of inflating ghost worker numbers (to around 15,000) to justify a massive commission. Post-verification, most flagged individuals were confirmed legitimate, with only a fraction unaccounted for. The government emphasized that Adeleke initiated the audit to address inherited payroll padding from the prior Oyetola-led APC administration and remains open to independent probes.

The row highlights ongoing political tensions in Osun ahead of future elections, with PDP dismissing the issue as opposition propaganda. No formal investigation has been announced by anti-corruption agencies as of February 21, 2026.

This development underscores broader challenges in public sector payroll management across Nigerian states, where ghost worker syndromes have historically drained resources.

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