Osun State House of Assembly on Thursday deliberated extensively on the status of Local Government administration in the state which have been in the air for some months.
Osun State House of Assembly said any attempt to release Local Government Area (LGA) funds into private individuals’ accounts amounts to an endorsement of impunity and a violation of due process a move that could trigger serious consequences.
This strong warning formed part of the resolutions adopted by the Osun State House of Assembly in response to circulating reports that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is allegedly finalizing plans to disburse LGA funds into private accounts.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun, cautioned the CBN against proceeding with any such illegal disbursement if the reports are found to be true. He emphasized that, according to the Nigerian Constitution, only the Director of Finance and the Director of Administration and General Services are recognized as authorized signatories to Local Government accounts.
He appreciated the Heads of Local Governments Administration, HLAs for their support and tenancity.
In their various submissions, Hon Lawrence Adeoti, Hon Adewumi Adeyemi, Hon Taofeek Olayiwola, Hon Abiola Awoyeye, Hon Laide Ajibola, Hon Kofoworola Adewumi and Hon Tajudeen Adeyemi, pointed out that the status of the local government in the state is worrisome, adding that some impostors went local governments with ammunitions to bastardize the state.
They added that there are laws guiding the local government and their actions are unconstitutional.
They said the issue is not about a political party, but law, accordingly to section 7, sub-section(1)of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which read:
that “the House of Assembly of a State has the power to make laws for the peace, order, and good government of the State or any part thereof”.
The lawmakers explained that the Federal High Court in Osogbo has in long time declared the election held on October 15th, 2022 as unconstitutional, null and void and Appeal Court also dismissed it.
They said Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, OSSIEC who conducted the election had withdrawn every Certificate of Return given to them, adding that, OSSIEC had conducted another election and winners has been declared, while Certificate of Return have been given to them but said they did not allow them to enter the local government because they were fully armed and people have to run for their lives.
After various contributions from the lawmakers, The speaker, Rt Hon Adewale Egbedun later reeled out the resolutions. They are includes:
“according to Section 7, sub section (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, this Honorable House reaffirm that only February 22nd 2025 democratically elected Local Government Chairman and Councillors are legitimate and constitutionally recognized as custodians of Local Government mandate and affairs”.
“that any purported recognition or installation of individual whose tenure arose from the annulled October 15th 2022 Local Government election and who now forcely claimed replacement by Court of Appeal is null and void without legal backing” among others.
The resolution followed a motion moved by the Leader of the House, Hon. Babajide Kofoworola and seconded by Hon. Olujimi Asagade.
The speaker said copy of the resolutions would be forwarded to stakeholders across the country.
