The Imole Campaign Council has called on the spokesperson of the AMBO Campaign Council, Remi Omowaiye, to provide explanations regarding a drone surveillance project approved during his tenure as Osun State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Chairman of its Media Committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam, the council said it was in possession of official documents showing that approvals were granted for the release of public funds totaling €248,281.25, $6,430.00 and ₦2,032,000.00 for the procurement and implementation of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) surveillance project aimed at addressing insecurity in the state.
According to the statement, a memo allegedly signed by Omowaiye in March 2018 sought approval for the acquisition of four intelligent surveillance drones to complement the operations of the Osun Emergency and Citizens Contact Centre.
The council stated that the memo also requested approval for two ministry officials to travel to the Netherlands to supervise the manufacturing process, as well as the training of ten personnel who were expected to operate the drones upon delivery.
The statement noted that Omowaiye had acknowledged during a live television programme that he authored the memo seeking approval for the drone acquisition.
According to the council, the document detailed the financial commitments involved in the project, including €248,281.25 for the procurement of the drones and related equipment, $6,430.00 for foreign travel and estacodes for two officials, and ₦2,032,000.00 for local transportation and training activities.
The memo reportedly indicated that the project was to be funded through the Local Government Joint Allocation Account and proposed the deployment of the drones across Osogbo, Ede, Ikire and Ilesa for round-the-clock aerial surveillance.
The council argued that the level of detail contained in the memo suggested that the project had progressed beyond the proposal stage and was intended for implementation with public funds.
It further alleged that Omowaiye avoided providing direct answers about the project during an appearance on Western Spring Television’s Morning Spring programme on June 18, 2026.
The Imole Campaign Council also questioned the decision of APC governorship aspirant Bola Oyebamiji to retain Omowaiye as campaign spokesperson amid the controversy.
According to the statement, the development raises issues of transparency, accountability and public resource management. The council maintained that if the drones were procured, the public deserves information about their whereabouts, deployment and operational history. It added that if the drones were not procured, authorities should explain how the approved funds were utilized.
The council also pointed to provisions in the memo for the training of ten personnel, stating that records of such training and the identities of those involved should be made available.
Among the questions raised by the council are whether the approved funds were released for the project, why the Local Government Joint Allocation Account was proposed as the funding source, whether the drones were delivered, and who received the approved training.
The council further requested the release of deployment records, maintenance reports, operational documents and inventory records relating to the drones.
According to the statement, the proposal was initiated in March 2018 and subsequently received the necessary approvals within government channels. It maintained that Omowaiye, having signed the memo in his capacity as commissioner, should provide explanations regarding the project’s implementation.
The council stated that failure to provide satisfactory answers could prompt calls for Omowaiye’s removal as spokesperson of the Oyebamiji campaign.
“The facts are clear. The memo exists. The approvals exist. The cost breakdown exists. The training component exists. The foreign inspection trip exists. What remains unanswered is the most important question of all: Where are the drones for which Osun taxpayers’ resources were committed?” the statement said.
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