The Osun State House of Assembly has strongly opposed any attempt to alter the authorized signatories of local government (LG) accounts, warning that such efforts are illegal and aimed at misappropriating public funds.
During a plenary session on Thursday presided over by Speaker Adewale Egbedun, lawmakers condemned alleged moves by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to grant access to public funds to individuals presenting themselves as LG chairmen and councillors.
The Assembly maintained that only career civil servants specifically, the Directors of Finance and Administration are legally recognized to sign LG financial documents, as stipulated in the state’s 2025 local government administrative guidelines.
Lawmakers emphasized that any attempt to replace authorized signatories with politically appointed individuals would face firm legal and legislative opposition, stating that such actions violate both the 1999 Constitution and Osun State laws.
Addressing the ongoing dispute over LG leadership, the Assembly reaffirmed that only the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmen and councillors elected during the February 22, 2025 elections are legitimate officeholders.
It dismissed attempts by individuals from the annulled October 2022 elections to reclaim office as unconstitutional and without legal standing.
In a related development, House of Representatives member Oluwole Oke (Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency) called on Governor Ademola Adeleke to comply with a Court of Appeal ruling that reinstated APC-elected LG officials.
He accused the governor of disregarding judicial authority and attempting to deflect blame onto national leaders, including President Bola Tinubu, Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi, CBN Governor Yemi Cardoso, and former Governor Gboyega Oyetola.
“Stop scapegoating others and obey the law,” Oke said in a statement issued from Abuja. He criticized the Adeleke administration for the ongoing hardship faced by LG workers and residents, linking it to the unconstitutional removal of duly elected officials.
Oke also urged the governor to direct members of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) to resume work under the reinstated APC leadership, stressing that their tenure remains valid unless changed by lawful and consensual means.
“This is about upholding lawful governance. Whether APC or PDP, every citizen deserves transparent and accountable leadership,” he added.
The local government crisis in Osun traces back to the controversial October 2022 elections conducted in the final days of Governor Oyetola’s administration.
The elections, boycotted by the PDP, were later nullified by a Federal High Court in May 2023 for failing to meet the requirement for multi-party participation.
However, the APC challenged the ruling, arguing the elections were valid and legally binding.
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