Ogun ADC dismisses fund diversion allegations against chair

The Ogun State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has vehemently dismissed allegations of financial mismanagement leveled against its chairman, Olufemi Soluade. The party's Directorate of Media, Communications and Publicity, through its Director General Adesina Olanrewaju, described the claims as "misleading, unfounded and baseless" during a briefing in Abeokuta.

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The claim that funds sent by aspirants were diverted or personally received by the state chairman is false and misleading.

The rebuttal follows a petition sent to the party's national leadership, accusing Soluade of diverting funds meant for nomination forms for the upcoming 2027 elections. However, Olanrewaju asserted that the party's internal findings found no evidence to support these accusations. He clarified that all payments for nomination forms were made directly into an account designated by the ADC National Secretariat, not received personally by the state chairman.

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For clarity, the monies referred to by the petitioners were funds meant strictly for the purchase of nomination forms by aspirants of the party.

"The claim that funds sent by aspirants were diverted or personally received by the state chairman is false and misleading," Olanrewaju stated. He emphasized that major party leaders were aware of the payment arrangement, and evidence, including payment records and receipts, confirmed that funds were deposited into the official national secretariat account.

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Major leaders of the party were aware of this arrangement, and there is clear evidence, including payment records and receipts, showing that the funds were paid into the officially designated ADC National Secretariat account.

The party also pointed out contradictions in the petitioners' stance, noting that they simultaneously acknowledged Soluade as the recognized state chairman while attempting to undermine his leadership. Furthermore, the party addressed issues concerning the distribution of nomination forms, explaining that a self-proclaimed deputy national financial secretary, Mr. Oladimeji Fabiyi, obtained an initial batch of forms but failed to release most to the state leadership for distribution, despite interventions from the National Organizing Secretary's office.

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One cannot simultaneously recognise a chairman and attempt to undermine his office through unauthorised structures.