The football world has been thrown into mourning following the tragic death of former Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger, who reportedly died at the age of 48 after his car was struck by a train. According to multiple international media reports, the incident occurred at a railway crossing in Austria, where Manninger’s vehicle was hit in a devastating collision. Emergency responders arrived swiftly at the scene, but efforts to revive him proved unsuccessful. Manninger, a former Austrian international, enjoyed a distinguished career across Europe, featuring for top clubs including Arsenal and Juventus. He was part of the Arsenal squad under Arsène Wenger during the late 1990s, contributing to the club’s domestic successes and earning admiration for his composure and professionalism. Tributes have begun pouring in from across the football community, with former teammates, clubs, and fans expressing shock and grief over the sudden loss. Wenger, who managed Manninger during his time in Nort...
Group accuses governor of starving grassroots of development, demands EFCC, ICPC probe, and legislative inquiry
The Osun Renewal Group (ORG) has issued a scathing critique of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration, accusing it of gross financial recklessness and brazen mismanagement of funds allocated to the 30 local government areas in Osun State. According to the group, of the ₦108 billion received by the state government on behalf of the local councils in 2024, a paltry ₦471 million—less than 1%—was spent on capital projects.
In a statement issued to the press, the group described this revelation as “an unforgivable betrayal of public trust” and a vivid demonstration of what it called “the Adeleke administration’s disdain for the grassroots.” The group lamented that over ₦107 billion, meant for local development, remains unaccounted for, while rural communities continue to suffer infrastructural decay and neglect.
“₦471 million spread across 30 LGAs for an entire year is nothing short of an insult,” the statement read. “It amounts to roughly ₦15 million per local government, not enough to rehabilitate a school, a health center, or even a kilometer of road. The rest of the money has simply vanished into thin air.”
Violation of Supreme Court Ruling
The ORG further condemned what it termed Adeleke’s “flagrant violation” of the July 11, 2024, Supreme Court ruling, which barred state governments from tampering with local government funds. From November 2022 to November 2024, the group claims, the Adeleke-led administration allegedly withheld over ₦183.2 billion meant for local councils, without input from elected local officials or any visible outcomes to justify the spending.
“This is not only unconstitutional but deeply contemptuous of the judiciary and the rule of law,” the group declared. “Governor Adeleke’s administration has treated the local governments like personal appendages, using their funds without accountability.”
A Broader Pattern of Recklessness
The ORG alleged that the local government scandal fits into a wider pattern of waste and opacity by the Adeleke government. Among other claims, it accused the administration of:
Spending over ₦13 billion on luxury vehicles for aides
Mismanaging job recruitment and defrauding over 32,000 applicants
Squandering close to ₦1 trillion in just 30 months
"This administration is on a reckless spending spree,” the statement charged. “It’s been 30 months of borrowing, bloated contracts, and no visible legacy projects. The grassroots have been particularly abandoned.”
Demand for Federal Intervention
The group called for urgent intervention by anti-corruption agencies including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to probe the utilization of the ₦183 billion in federal allocations.
“We are petitioning the relevant authorities. We want an audit. We want the money traced. We want prosecutions,” ORG said, adding that the Federal Government must begin to disburse local government funds directly to councils to prevent future diversions.
Legislative Oversight Urged
ORG also called on the National Assembly to rise above partisanship and conduct a full legislative inquiry into the Adeleke administration’s financial dealings, especially regarding local government funds.
“This is a moment of truth for lawmakers,” the group said. “The people of Osun are watching. Any further silence will only deepen the culture of impunity.”
The group praised the courage of former local government chairmen and civil society actors who have raised the alarm over the handling of council funds. It pledged to work with them to ensure the matter is not swept under the carpet.
“The People Will Be the Judge”
The Osun Renewal Group concluded by calling on the people of Osun State to remain vigilant and demand accountability. It vowed to pursue this matter legally and through civic advocacy until justice is served.
“Osun State deserves more than propaganda and PR stunts. It deserves real leadership, real development, and real justice. The era of treating local government funds as a private ATM must end now.”
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