Morganable politics/Governance
The Deputy Senate Leader disclosed that he had received legal advice indicating that the allegation could amount to defamation of character but decided against instituting legal proceedings out of respect for traditional institutions.
KaNo—
The Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Lola Ashiru, has dismissed allegations that he personally received N10bn meant for road construction projects, describing the claims as false, misleading and a misrepresentation of government budgeting and project implementation processes.
Ashiru maintained that public infrastructure projects were funded through established budgetary procedures and implemented by relevant ministries, departments and agencies rather than through personal accounts of lawmakers.
The senator, who represents Kwara South Senatorial District, made the clarification on Saturday during the inauguration of a 48-shop modern market in Oro, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Speaking at the event, Ashiru challenged those behind the allegation to verify their claims through publicly available appropriation documents, insisting that government expenditure could be traced through official records.
He explained that lawmakers facilitated the inclusion of constituency projects in government budgets, while responsibility for their execution, supervision and monitoring rested with designated government agencies.
According to him, allegations that such funds were transferred directly into his personal account were inconsistent with established public financial management procedures.
“If indeed N10bn had been paid into my personal account, as alleged, would the relevant government agencies, including the ICPC and EFCC, not have questions to ask?
“The appropriation acts are publicly available and provide a verifiable basis for determining the projects approved and the amounts allocated,” he said.
The Deputy Senate Leader disclosed that he had received legal advice indicating that the allegation could amount to defamation of character but decided against instituting legal proceedings out of respect for traditional institutions.
He maintained that his priority was to clarify the situation and provide residents with accurate information concerning infrastructure projects facilitated across his constituency.
“It is important to put the facts in the public domain and to ensure that the people are properly informed about projects executed across their communities,” Ashiru stated.
However, the senator did not present a detailed breakdown of the alleged N10bn allocation or documentary evidence establishing the funding and implementation status of the projects mentioned during his address.
Highlighting infrastructure interventions across Kwara South, Ashiru identified several road construction and rehabilitation projects which he said were facilitated to improve transportation and economic activities.
The projects included the 1.2-kilometre Owode Market-Onireke-Adeleke Road, Omolere-Ikolaba-Lanlu-Ajia-Popo Road, Tafa Joba Road, Afolabi-Adie Road, Bulala-Obada Road and Imam Batara Road.
Others were Tijani Akande Road in Ijagbo, a 2.6-kilometre section of the Ikotun–Offa Road, and the Ojude Okeki-Rabah-Afin-Illaro Road in Omu-Aran.
He also mentioned the Ijagbo and Ikotun bridges, a bridge at Oke-Daba in Oro-Ago District, and road and flood-control infrastructure at Asalofa-Obatiwajoye.
Ashiru explained that the listed projects represented only part of the infrastructure interventions being pursued across the senatorial district.
He acknowledged that while some projects were ongoing, others had yet to receive the necessary funding for implementation.
“These aforementioned projects represent only a selection of ongoing infrastructural projects and many projects underway that are yet to be funded, while new projects will also commence very soon,” he said.
The lawmaker further identified proposed interventions awaiting funding, including rural road construction and rehabilitation around Akowe Elere and Navy Hospital in Offa, community roads in Ipee and Ijagbo, and Ayo Opadokun Crescent in Offa GRA.
Other proposed projects included a link bridge connecting the expanded Kara cattle market in Irepodun Local Government Area, reconstruction of a culvert and bridge at Epe-Opin, and rehabilitation of the Aworo culvert at Oke-Daba in Oro-Ago.
He also listed township roads in Offa and Oyun, rural roads and drainage infrastructure extending from Summit University junction to Atari in Offa, alongside proposed market facilities in Erin-Ile, Popo, Babanloma and Owode.
Beyond road infrastructure, Ashiru said his constituency interventions extended to healthcare delivery, rural development and renewable energy.
He disclosed that he had supported annual medical outreach programmes and facilitated healthcare centres in Epe-Opin, Kajola, Ilale, Durosoto, Offa and Oko.
According to him, medical equipment and essential drugs were also supplied to primary healthcare facilities across several communities.
The benefiting locations, he said, included Erin-Ile, Abogunugun, Arandun, Isanlu-Isin, Oke-Ibukun, Owu-Isin, Oke-Ode, Owode, Koro, Idofin-Igbana and Ilale.
The senator further highlighted renewable energy interventions involving the installation of solar inverter systems in the palaces of five traditional rulers across the district.
He explained that each palace received a 10.2kVA inverter system, eight 12-volt tubular batteries and 20 solar panels.
The beneficiaries included the palaces of the Olupo of Ajase-Ipo, Aloffa of Illofa, Onira of Ira, Oniganmo of Ganmo and Owa L’obbo of Obbo-Ile.
Speaking during the market inauguration, the Oloro of Oro Kingdom, Oba Joel Olaniyi Oyatoye Titiloye Olufayo II, commended Ashiru for facilitating the construction of the commercial facility.
The monarch said the 48-shop market would provide business opportunities for traders and strengthen economic activities within the community.
“It will contribute significantly to the economy of any community that has such a project.
“This is a walk-up shop of 48 units, meaning it will contain 48 business owners in Oro Kingdom,” he said.
He expressed appreciation to the senator for monitoring the project from its commencement to completion, describing the development as an important investment in the kingdom.
“This is huge, and we are very grateful for it. We thank the senator for bringing this wonderful project to our kingdom,” the monarch added.
Oba Olufayo disclosed that electricity had already been provided at the market, while additional improvements, including fencing and interlocking, were expected.
Meanwhile, Ashiru used the occasion to reaffirm his commitment to the All Progressives Congress and President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He urged residents to evaluate political parties based on their development records, particularly questioning the performance of the Peoples Democratic Party during its previous years in power in Kwara State.
“The PDP is a political party, and people are free to make their political choices. But we must also remember history. The PDP is not new to Kwara. They have been here before,” he stated.
The senator maintained that political participation should prioritise infrastructure development, economic empowerment, employment opportunities and improved living conditions.
“Politics must ultimately be about development, empowerment, opportunities, infrastructure, and the wellbeing of the people.
“We will continue to be progressive, work for APC, and ensure that President Tinubu is not disgraced in Kwara State,” Ashiru declared.
