Daud Olatunji
A financial scandal has erupted within the Ogun State chapter of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) following the alleged mismanagement of funds refunded by the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC).
PLATFORM TIMES reports that the refunds, meant for candidates who participated in the botched local government elections, were reportedly diverted to a private account, sparking outrage among party members and candidates.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the controversy began after OGSIEC refunded administrative fees paid by all candidates who contested the canceled elections.
However, rather than channeling the funds through the party’s General Secretary as is customary, the refunds for ADP candidates were allegedly paid into a private company account linked to the party’s gubernatorial candidate,(name withheld).
Sources revealed that the funds were transferred on December 12, 2024, but the candidate allegedly failed to inform other party leaders or executives about the transaction.
PLATFORM TIMES further gathered that two weeks later, some candidates learned of the payment and demanded their share.
He reportedly told them that the money was transferred to a lawyer, whose identity he refused to disclose.
According to a source, he claimed the lawyer was on vacation and could not disburse the funds until January 2025.
Frustrated by the delay, candidates under the Abeokuta South ADP Candidates Forum issued a strongly worded resolution, obtained by PLATFORM TIMES,accusing party leaders of betraying their trust and mismanaging the funds.
They demanded full transparency and immediate payment of their entitlements by December 30, 2024, warning that failure to comply would result in public exposure of the party’s alleged financial misconduct.
The resolution concluded with a veiled threat that if peaceful measures failed, the candidates might resort to other actions to reclaim their funds.
In response to the escalating crisis, the leadership of the Ogun ADP issued a communiqué assuring members that the matter had been resolved.
According to the communiqué, obtained by PLATFORM TIMES, all affected candidates would receive their refunds by January 6, 2025.
The statement also emphasized the party’s commitment to unity and transparency while calling for collaboration among members to move the party forward.
The communiqué, signed by prominent party leaders, including Hon. Hassan Olalekan, Hon. Kazeem Sokunbi, and others, was aimed at calming tensions.
However, many candidates remain skeptical, demanding concrete actions rather than promises.
The Abeokuta South ADP Candidates Forum has criticized the party’s handling of the situation, describing it as a betrayal of trust.
They accused the candidate who collected the money of orchestrating the alleged diversion and questioned the party’s decision to involve an unidentified lawyer in the transaction.
The candidates also expressed dissatisfaction with the party’s lack of transparency and accountability, vowing to investigate other financial dealings, including tax clearance payments and alleged pre-election agreements with the ruling party.
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