Deputy Senate Leader, Oyelola Ashiru Speaks On Stealing N10bn Road Project Fund
Deputy Senate Leader Oyelola Ashiru has denied allegations that he personally received N10bn for road construction, saying government projects are funded through budgetary processes and executed by relevant ministries, departments and agencies.
Senator Ashiru spoke at the commissioning of a 48-shop market in Oro, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, where he listed projects he said he had facilitated across Kwara South.
“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?” he said.
The senator said appropriation acts were publicly available and could be used to verify approved projects and their allocations.
He added that he had been advised that the allegation could amount to defamation but had chosen not to pursue legal action out of respect for traditional institutions.
Ashiru listed several road projects, including the Owode Market–Onireke–Adeleke Road, Omolere–Ikolaba–Lanlu–Ajia–Popo Road, Tafa Joba Road, Afolabi–Adie Road and Bulala–Obada Road.
Others included Tijani Akande Road in Ijagbo, a 2.6-kilometre section of the Ikotun–Offa Road, the Ojude Okeki–Rabah–Afin–Illaro Road in Omu-Aran, and bridges in Ijagbo, Ikotun and Oke-Daba in Oro-Ago.
He said some of the projects were ongoing, while others were awaiting funding. He also listed proposed road rehabilitation works in Offa, Ipee and Ijagbo, as well as bridge and culvert projects in Epe-Opin and Oke-Daba.
The senator said he had also supported medical outreaches, facilitated health centres in several communities and supplied medical equipment and drugs to primary healthcare facilities across the district.
He added that solar power systems had been installed in the palaces of five traditional rulers in Kwara South.
However, Oyelola Ashiru did not provide a breakdown of the alleged N10bn allocation or documents showing the funding and implementation status of the projects he listed.
At the event, the Oloro of Oro Kingdom, Oba Joel Olaniyi Oyatoye Titiloye Olufayo II, said the market would provide business space for 48 traders and support economic activities in the community.
The monarch thanked Ashiru for facilitating the project and said electricity was available at the market, while fencing and interlocking were expected as further improvements.
Ashiru also reaffirmed his support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
