- Ekiti Government denies spending ₦1.8bn on a new Governor’s Lodge in Abuja.
- Says funds are for completing an existing lodge inherited from previous administration.
- Project is a permanent state asset, not a personal residence for Governor Oyebanji.
- Government insists the administration prioritizes accountability and continuity.
The Ekiti State Government has rejected reports alleging that it is building a brand-new Governor’s Lodge in Abuja at a cost of ₦1.8bn, describing the claims as false and intentionally misleading.
A news platform recently alleged that the state released ₦470 million as part of a supposed new project valued at ₦1.8bn. But the government says the report misrepresented the facts.
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In a statement from Ado-Ekiti, the Special Adviser on Information and Value Orientation, Taiwo Olatunbosun, explained that the budgetary allocation being referenced is not for a fresh construction. Instead, he clarified that the money is meant to complete an already existing Abuja Governor’s Lodge, a project started during the administration of former governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
According to him, the lodge was already awarded and under construction before Governor Oyebanji assumed office, but could not be completed earlier due to limited budgetary releases. He said the current administration only made provisions in the 2025 budget to finish what it inherited, in line with its policy of continuity and responsible financial management.
Olatunbosun described the rumor of a new personal accommodation for the governor and his deputy as “deceptive and calculated to stir anger among the public.”
He stressed that the lodge is officially registered as the “Ekiti State Governor and Deputy Governor’s Lodge,” meaning it is a permanent government asset for future administrations, not a personal home.
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The statement also revealed that for the past three years, Governor Oyebanji has stayed in rented accommodation anytime he is in Abuja.
“If comfort was his priority, the lodge would have been completed long ago,” Olatunbosun said, adding that Oyebanji’s focus remains on “the development and welfare of Ekiti people, not personal luxury.”
He reaffirmed that the administration will continue to complete inherited projects to prevent waste and ensure that public funds deliver value.
