Osun 2026: APC Campaign Spokesperson, Omowaiye Diverted N800m Drone Procurement Funds, Adeleke’s Campaign Council Alleges
- Asks EFCC To Investigate Alleged Scandal
The Imole Campaign Council of Governor Ademola Adeleke has alleged that the spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress governorship campaign in Osun State, Remi Omowaiye, has questions to answer over the procurement of security drones valued at over N800m during his tenure as Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology.
The council, in a statement issued on Friday by its Media Committee Chairman, Hon. Bamidele Salam, claimed to be in possession of official documents showing that Omowaiye obtained approval for the release of €248,281.25, $6,430.00 and N2,032,000.00 for the procurement and implementation of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle surveillance project aimed at addressing insecurity in the state.
According to the statement obtained by OSUN DEFENDER, an official memo personally signed by Omowaiye in March 2018 sought approval for the acquisition of four intelligent surveillance drones to complement the Osun Emergency and Citizens Contact Centre.
The document also requested approval for the sponsorship of two ministry officials to the Netherlands to supervise the manufacturing process and for the training of ten personnel expected to operate the drones upon delivery.
The council alleged that despite publicly admitting during a television interview that he authored the memo, Omowaiye had failed to provide satisfactory answers regarding the whereabouts of the drones. It maintained that the key issue remained whether the drones were eventually procured and deployed as approved.
Salam said, “The official memo, personally signed by Mr. Omowaiye in March 2018 as Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, sought approval for the acquisition of four intelligent surveillance drones to complement the Osun Emergency and Citizens Contact Centre.
“Omowaiye himself admitted during a live television appearance that he indeed authored the memo seeking approval for the drone acquisition. It is therefore ridiculous that he has been unable to provide a meaningful answer to the simple question repeatedly raised by the Imole Campaign Council: Where are the drones?”
“The memo leaves no ambiguity regarding the financial commitment of the Osun State Government. It expressly requested and obtained approval for the release of €248,281.25 for the procurement of four UAVs and ancillary equipment, $6,430.00 for foreign travel and estacodes for two officials to the Netherlands, and N2,032,000.00 for local transportation and the training of ten personnel in Nigeria,” Salam said.
The council also questioned the implementation of the project, noting that the document contained detailed provisions on deployment locations, personnel training, foreign inspection visits and operational timelines.
It argued that the level of detail suggested the project had progressed beyond the planning stage.
“If the drones were procured as approved, Osun people deserve to know where they are, where they were deployed, who operated them and what became of the investment. If they were not procured, then there must be a full explanation regarding the utilisation of the funds approved for the project,” Salam stated further.
The council called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to investigate the transaction and urged the APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, to remove Omowaiye as campaign spokesperson if he fails to provide satisfactory explanations on the matter.
“The facts are clear. The memo exists. The approvals exist. The cost breakdown exists. The training component exists. The foreign inspection trip exists. What remains unanswered is the most important question of all: Where are the drones for which Osun taxpayers’ resources were committed? The people of Osun deserve answers,” the statement added.
Efforts to obtain Omowaiye’s reaction were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
Okikiola Adewale is a young and vibrant undergraduate pen pusher with training in both print and digital journalism. He has a flair for writing, content development and people-oriented reporting to seek societal change.
