Osun LG Crisis: Citizens May Be Compelled To Resort To Self Help – CSO Tells President Tinubu
A Civil Society Organisation, The Movement for Credible Elections (MCE), has frowned at the allegations that the local government chairmen elected in October 15, 2022 in collusion with the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Gboyega Oyetola and the United Bank for Africa (UBA), have ‘illegally’ hijacked funds released by the Federal Government meant for Osun councils.
The head of the national Secretariat of MCE, Veteran Olawale Okunniyi, in a statement signed by Comrade James Ezema, Media Coordinator, MCE, said the allegations showed an audacious act to violate Osun State law which prescribes career officials as signatories to LG accounts.
The statement demanded immediate and decisive action from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and called on all lovers of democracy in Nigeria and across the world to intervene.
Okunniyi said, “The Movement is perturbed to learn that court-sacked APC local government chairmen in Osun State, acting in blatant collusion with a former Governor of Osun State now Minister and the United Bank for Africa (UBA), have illegally hijacked funds released by the Federal Government meant for Osun LGs, diverting them to unelected politicians and party cronies.
“This audacious act violates Osun State law, which explicitly prescribes career officials as signatories to LG accounts, yet these lawful procedures have been willfully ignored and trampled upon.
“MCE demands immediate and decisive action from the President; Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and calls on all lovers of democracy in Nigeria and across the world to intervene.”
He added, “Let it be known: UBA and the former Governor have hijacked Osun LG funds, and the resources meant for local workers are being illegally shared by court-sacked chairmen. This is not just mismanagement—it is fraud and a deliberate assault on the foundations of democracy in Nigeria.”
The Movement warned that it may mobilise citizens across Osun State and Nigeria to use every lawful means to reclaim their rights, demand accountability, and protect democracy if the President fails to intervene.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that the state House of Assembly had earlier alleged former governor Oyetola of meddling in the affairs of local government in the state.
The Assembly, in a press statement on Sunday, frowned at what it described as the “illegal meddlesomeness” of the blue economy minister.
It noted that “Mr Oyetola, a nephew to President Tinubu, has no constitutional, statutory, or moral authority to control Local Governments funds, issue instructions on LG funds, influence banks, or direct security agencies in respect of LG administration, adding that “being related to the President confers no legal power to interfere in the affairs of Osun State Local Governments as Nigeria is governed by laws, not family ties.”
But the minister dismissed the allegation, noting that all local governments in Nigeria have financial autonomy and are beyond the control of any person or entity, including the state government.
A statement by his Special Adviser, Dr Bolaji Akinola, said the attempt to link Oyetola to the administration or disbursement of local government funds was reckless propaganda designed to distract the public from the state government’s own failures and ongoing legal battles.
He stressed that the Minister has no constitutional or statutory role in local government finance and has neither issued directives to banks nor interfered in the running of local councils.
According to him, “the Osun State Government and the State Assembly are uncomfortable with the reality that local governments have full financial autonomy protected by the Constitution and the Supreme Court.”
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
