• Deji Adeleke donates N500m
• Accord Party denies endorsing Tinubu, backs Adeleke for Osun polls

In a renewed vigour to tackle security breaches across Osun State, Governor Ademola Adeleke has officially launched the Osun Security Trust Fund and urged corporate organisations and other critical stakeholders in the state to support the initiative.

Adeleke, while speaking at the launch of the Fund in Osogbo yesterday, said: “Osun State started the process but was abandoned under the immediate past administration of Gboyega Oyetola. Our government decided to revive the initiative by updating the law and organising the launch today.”

Meanwhile, the billionaire philanthropist, who is also the governor’s brother, Dr Deji Adeleke, donated N500m while several businesses contributed various amounts.

The governor described the security trust fund as a matter of necessity, considering the security climate in Nigeria and Osun State, adding that it is neither a political project nor a self-serving policy.

However, after announcing the launch, Adeleke donated N300 million on behalf of the state government and assured private partners and other members of the public of transparency in managing the funds.

“This is a necessary policy to secure our people. Only an irresponsible government will abandon the PPP arrangement that is working so well in Lagos, Kaduna and Rivers states, among others. Ours is a responsible leadership with people-oriented innovations, policies and programmes.

“This Fund is designed to provide sustainable funding for modern security infrastructure. Through this Fund, we establish a modern Situation Room with real-time CCTV surveillance. We will continue the provision of operational tools required by our security agencies,” the governor stated.

He said that the Fund is legally backed by the state’s law, saying that his administration has refurbished several Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), purchased several vehicles and would soon distribute them to the relevant security services.

In his remark, Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Vice Chairman of the Implementation Committee of the Osun State Security Trust Fund, Teslim Igbalaye, said security could not be left in the hands of government alone, adding that it is a collective responsibility to ensure that any meaningful action taken to protect the citizens is supported and embraced as part of the broader need to keep Osun an attractive destination for growth and investment.

The SSG stressed the committee’s commitment to ensuring that all funds contributed are transparently managed, properly accounted for, and judiciously utilised in line with global best practices.

He, therefore, appealed to all partners, including commercial ventures, banks, insurance companies, miners, market associations, labour unions, private individuals, hotels, schools, and others, to support the cause.

Meanwhile, the Accord Party (AP) has denied claims that it had endorsed President Bola Tinubu, saying it remains focused on supporting Adeleke ahead of the 2026 governorship election.

The party’s National Chairman, Maxwell Mgbudem, stated this yesterday, during a media briefing in Abuja.

“There is nothing like that. This is a political party and Governor Adeleke is our candidate. If there is any such endorsement, I assure you that the media will be the first to know. It will come from here.

“Every candidate will emerge after the primaries. We have just finished our NEC meeting, but still working on the modalities. Many aspirants are currently rushing to buy forms for various positions after we announced our nomination fees and timetable,” he said.

The clarification followed controversy over a billboard in Iwo, Osun State, which featured images of Tinubu and Adeleke.

Mgbudem expressed confidence in Adeleke’s chances in the 2026 polls.