I Use Family Jets to Cut Osun’s Travel Bills, Adeleke Defends Travel Record

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has responded to reports alleging excessive government spending on domestic and international travels, revealing that he often uses private jets owned by his family to cut down on travel costs.

The clarification follows a report published by an online medium which claimed that the Osun State Government spent a total of ₦3.1 billion on travel expenses over a six-month period. The report sparked public criticism and concern over financial prudence in the state’s governance.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, Governor Adeleke refuted the claims of profligacy, describing them as misleading and politically motivated.

He emphasized his commitment to transparency and cost-effectiveness, noting that his access to family-owned aircraft has significantly reduced the burden of travel expenses on state coffers.
“It is on record that Governor Adeleke has used private jets belonging to the Adeleke family on most of his official trips, both within and outside Nigeria,” the statement said. “These gestures, done at no cost to the state, have helped reduce travel-related expenditure, contrary to the false narrative being pushed by detractors.”

Governor Adeleke also reiterated his administration’s dedication to fiscal responsibility and good governance, urging critics to scrutinize the facts before drawing conclusions.
The statement further challenged the authors of the report to provide verified breakdowns of the alleged expenses, including dates, destinations, and the nature of the trips. According to the governor, a significant portion of the reported amount may include travel expenditures accrued by various ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), not necessarily his office alone.

Political analysts believe the controversy is part of a larger pattern of scrutiny Adeleke has faced since assuming office, particularly from opposition figures questioning his leadership style and spending priorities.

Despite the criticism, the governor maintains strong popularity among segments of the Osun electorate, largely due to his populist image and perceived accessibility.

The Adeleke administration recently rolled out several infrastructure and welfare initiatives, including road rehabilitation, school upgrades, and workers’ welfare packages projects that allies say reflect prudent use of state resources.