The political crisis in Osun State has taken a new dimension as the state government has warned sacked local government officials of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against approaching the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to open accounts for local government funds. The Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, issued the warning during a media chat with members of the Osun Online Publishers Association at the state government secretariat on Wednesday.
Alimi declared that Osun State is governed by the rule of law and not a lawless entity where individuals can act outside legal frameworks. He maintained that any attempt by the sacked local government officials to manipulate government agencies to gain access to local government funds would lead to their imprisonment. He stated that the former chairmen had no constitutional right to unilaterally open accounts for local governments with the apex bank.
The warning came after the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) directed council chairmen across the country to approach the CBN for the opening of accounts to manage local government funds. However, the Osun State government has made it clear that any such move by the sacked APC officials would not be tolerated.
During the media session, Alimi emphasized that no local government chairman is a signatory to any official account, making it impossible for them to open or operate one. He added that even the governor does not have direct access to government accounts, as he can only approve transactions in line with legal procedures. He stressed that those who think they can gain unauthorized access to local government funds would be held accountable under the law.
Alimi also accused the state APC of deliberately violating a subsisting court judgment that declared all local government seats vacant. He reiterated that the Court of Appeal’s verdict in the Action Peoples Party case, which sacked the APC chairmen, remains the only valid judgment on the matter. He insisted that their tenure, which began in 2022, would expire in October, and any claims they still make to office are illegal.
Addressing allegations of financial misappropriation to the tune of N3.7 billion under his tenure as Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alimi dismissed the accusations as an attempt to mislead the public. He challenged those behind the claims to file a petition with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission instead of using the media to spread falsehoods. He clarified that funds allocated to local governments were managed by the appropriate authorities and that he was not a signatory to any government account.
He further warned that unless former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Adebayo Adeleke, and Mr. Jamiu Olawumi publicly retract their statements, he would have no choice but to seek legal redress over the matter.
Meanwhile, local government workers in Osun are yet to resume duties following a directive from the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, Osun chapter, advising them to stay away from their offices due to safety concerns ahead of the February 22 local government elections. Many council secretariats remain empty as the political tension in the state continues to escalate.
With the Osun State government taking a firm stance on the matter, the political battle over local government administration is expected to intensify. The next move by the sacked APC officials will determine whether they face legal consequences or accept the legal rulings that removed them from office.
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