- Says FG’s Decision An Impunity
The reported release of the seven month withheld local government allocations to Chairmen and Councillors elected in the October 15, 2022 council election in Osun State by the federal government has been described as an act of impunity and abuse of power.
A leading tendency in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Omoluabi Progressives stated this on Monday, while presenting its position on the ongoing local government crisis in the state.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that the APC Chairmen had last Tuesday celebrated the receipt of the withheld allocation into accounts opened with the United Bank of Africa (UBA), stressing that its officials had swung into action on the utilisation of the funds.
Addressing journalists at the Oranmiyan House in Osogbo, Chairman of the tendency, Alhaji Azeez Adesiji, the group held that the Yes or No Chairmen remain illegal having been sacked by the Federal High Court, Osogbo, especially in the binding judgement on the APP case.
Adesiji, who berated the federal government for releasing the withheld allocation to the ‘sacked chairmen,’ warned that such moves reveals the desperation of the APC-led government at the centre to manipulate the August 8, 2026 governorship election.
“The Federal High Court’s judgment remains valid, binding, and unchallenged.
“The APC’s appeal was struck out for want of diligent prosecution. Those parading themselves as council chairmen and councillors are, therefore, Yes or No illegal chairmen with no lawful mandate, no constitutional backing, and no electoral legitimacy.
“This is not only unconstitutional but a direct theft of the people’s resources and an act of political brigandage,” the statement read.
According to the group, this development sets a dangerous precedent for governance and accountability, adding that the government’s actions represented “fascism and political rascality” aimed at entrenching rejected cronies in positions of power.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the overbearing conduct of the Federal Government which, by this act, has shown that it will stop at nothing to manipulate institutions, desecrate the courts, and subvert the will of the people,” the group declared. “This same pattern of lawlessness is already being woven into Osun politics as we approach 2027, and Nigerians must take note.”
The group called on civil society organizations, labour unions, opposition parties, and the international community to resist what it termed “creeping authoritarianism” and ensure that local government autonomy is not turned into a political scheme for “financial looting.”
It further warned those it referred to as illegal chairmen against tampering with the funds lodged in their accounts, saying such actions would amount to criminal conduct. “Local government funds must be released to legitimate and constitutional authorities,” the group said, urging anti-corruption agencies like the ICPC to intervene immediately.
“Osun people are watching, Nigeria is watching, and the world is watching,” the statement concluded. “Our democracy was not won to be handed over to fascist dictates. We will resist this abuse of power, defend the law, and stand for the dignity of Osun people.”
Sodiq Yusuf is a trained media practitioner and journalist with considerable years of experience in print, broadcast, and digital journalism. His interests cover a wide range of causes in politics, governance, sports, community development, and good governance.
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