Civil society organisations in Nigeria have demanded evidence to substantiate allegations concerning federal projects and empowerment programmes facilitated by Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola. The Civil Society Groups for Good Governance (CSGGG) and Integrity Advocacy for Development Initiative (IADI) made the call at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday. According to the groups, their position is based on monitoring activities conducted in Ogun West and other parts of the country.
The groups monitored roads, schools, electricity and healthcare projects, as well as empowerment programmes involving traders, artisans, farmers, youths, students and other beneficiaries. Their teams observed physical and identifiable interventions in several communities, with some projects delivered to a commendable standard. However, they stressed that the existence of a physical project does not settle questions relating to procurement, contract values, quality, value for money or financial transactions.
The organisations emphasised that procurement processes, contract values, quality, value for money and financial transactions remain legitimate areas for scrutiny. They said such questions must be examined through records and verifiable evidence rather than assumption or inference. The groups also observed officials of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) monitoring some programmes, but clarified they were not speaking for the commission.
The groups called for allegations to be tested through physical inspection and financial records. They urged Nigerians to distinguish between allegations, findings and established facts, saying repetition does not turn an allegation into evidence, and publication does not make an allegation a verdict. According to the organisations, Adeola, as a public official, remains subject to legitimate scrutiny, but allegations should not be treated as established facts.
The organisations raised concerns about the independence of civil society organisations in the ongoing controversy, saying they had a responsibility to question public officials, expose wrongdoing and demand transparency and accountability. They, however, stressed that they had not independently verified information suggesting political interests could be connected to aspects of the controversy.
The groups urged Nigerians, particularly residents of Ogun State, to examine available records, visit project locations, speak with beneficiaries and assess the allegations based on evidence. They also called on fellow civil society organisations to verify claims before amplifying them and to apply the same standard of scrutiny regardless of who is involved.
The organisations said their monitoring reports, photographs and field observations were available for examination. They maintained that where wrongdoing is established, the appropriate authorities should act, while projects that were executed and beneficiaries who received interventions should also be acknowledged.
Key points
- Civil society organisations demand evidence to substantiate allegations against Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola.
- The groups stress the need for independent verification of projects and procurement processes.
- The organisations urge Nigerians to examine available records and assess allegations based on evidence.
