Members and supporters of the Accord Party in Osun State have raised allegations of financial mismanagement against their party leadership, claiming they were shortchanged over a N50 million mobilisation fund reportedly released for the recent PBAT Door-to-Door Movement programme in the state.
The fund, said to be earmarked for mobilising various support groups within the party, was allegedly not disbursed to many of those who participated in the programme, leaving a section of the party’s grassroots base aggrieved.
N100 Million Budgeted for Two Parties
An organiser of the event, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that a total of N100 million was budgeted for mobilising different interest groups within the All Progressives Congress and Accord for the inauguration programme. According to the organiser, N50 million was allocated to each of the two parties to mobilise their supporters.
However, several participants insist that the Accord share never reached them. An aide to Governor Ademola Adeleke, who also spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal, said a support group he mobilised for the event had not received any money. “Our support group was asked to mobilise members, but they haven’t received a kobo,” the aide stated.
A member of the National Association of Nigerian Students in the South-West also lamented that the students’ constituency had yet to receive any payment despite mobilising members for the event. The student leader, who declined to be named in print, accused the Accord leadership of withholding the funds.
“The PBAT Door-to-Door rally was another eye-opener to the kind of selfish and greedy leaders we have in this so-called Accord. The organisers decided to split the mobilisation between the APC and Accord,” he said. “Till now, Accord leaders are yet to pay us, nor explain the reason for the delay.”
Coordinator Insists Funds Were Disbursed
The Osun State Coordinator of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, Timothy Olanrewaju, maintained that the mobilisation funds had been disbursed. He urged those protesting the alleged non-payment to hold their party leaders responsible, insisting that the money had been released to them.
“Those people protesting should hold their leaders responsible. The fund was released to them. I, as the central coordinator, was not even given any slot. My own mobilisation was also part of the APC slots,” Olanrewaju said.
He further explained the basis of the mobilisation calculations, stating that N80,000 was allocated per bus and N10,000 for each person in an 18-seater bus. He added that the 5,000 people expected from Accord fell short of the target, noting that extra mobilisation from the movement’s end made up the difference.
Accord Chairman Denies Knowledge of Funds
Pastor Victor Akande, the Accord chairman in Osun State, said he was unaware of the development and stressed that the money did not pass through him. He also noted that no party member had formally written to him to lodge a complaint.
“I am not aware of the funds. I wasn’t part of the committee. Also, if money was released, I believe those who mobilised ought to have received their money by now,” Akande stated.
The dispute has exposed simmering tensions within the party’s ranks in Osun State, with supporters demanding accountability and transparency over funds meant to reward their mobilisation efforts. With the state coordinator and the party chairman offering conflicting positions, the affected members say they are yet to receive either their payments or a clear explanation for the delay.
