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Osun Govt Denies Forcing Council Officers to Change Account Signatories Amid Political Tussle

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Osun Govt Denies Forcing Council Officers to Change Account Signatories Amid Political Tussle

Osun Govt Denies Forcing Council Officers to Change Account Signatories Amid Political Tussle

The Osun State Government has dismissed allegations that it is coercing career officers in local governments to alter signatories to council accounts amid the ongoing power struggle between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) over local government control.

The Chairman of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Osun, Mr. Adewale Adebayo, alleged that Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration was pressuring Finance Directors and Heads of Local Administration (HLAs) to make unauthorized changes to council accounts.

“We reliably gathered that Adeleke’s government has started taking 30 Local Government Area Finance Directors and Heads of Local Administration to an undisclosed location forcefully. This is unconnected to the contention over who controls the local government,” Adebayo claimed.

He further alleged that these officials were being detained and pressured into changing signatories to align with the newly elected officials, an act he described as undemocratic and a violation of the rule of law. Adebayo also referenced judicial pronouncements from the Court of Appeal that upheld the October 15, 2022, council election, asserting that the state government’s actions contradict the verdict.

However, Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, swiftly refuted the claims, dismissing them as “mere speculation.”

“This is just an attempt to create a false narrative. The Commissioner for Local Government has confirmed that he never issued such a directive. They are only trying to stir unnecessary controversy,” Alimi stated.

“We have never changed any local government account signatories. APM is just crying more than the bereaved,” he added.

Meanwhile, the APC in Osun has urged local government workers to return to their duty posts, emphasizing that they must remain neutral in the ongoing political tussle. Jamiu Olawumi, a former Special Adviser on Education under ex-Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, stated that the reinstated local government chairmen had issued a 72-hour ultimatum for workers to resume.

However, the Osun chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) rejected the directive, with Chairman Christopher Arapasopo insisting that workers would only return when their security was guaranteed.

Despite the NLC’s stance, Olawumi maintained that workers were expected to resume, noting that chairmen and councillors had already resumed work.

“It is quite unfortunate that they (workers) are becoming partisan. They need to understand that they are not employed by the state government but by individual local governments. That is why they have Heads of Local Government Administration,” Olawumi stated.

“We encourage them to eschew partisanship and focus on their work. The ultimatum lapses today (Wednesday), and we expect them to resume tomorrow (Thursday). If they don’t, we will continue persuading them,” he added.

Efforts to reach NLC Chairman Arapasopo for comment were unsuccessful, as calls to his phone did not go through, and he had yet to respond to text messages at press time.

Amid the controversy, an Osun-based civil society group, The Osun Masterminds, has called for a return to the courts to resolve the dispute.

Speaking in Osogbo, the Executive Director of the group, Prof. Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli, urged all parties to refrain from inflammatory remarks that could escalate tensions.

“All parties must immediately return to the relevant courts to clarify the subsisting judgments so that the current issues can be amicably resolved,” Oyedokun-Alli stated.

“Once clarified, all parties must respect the decision of the courts and lay the matter to rest once and for all. As we approach the 2026 Osun gubernatorial election, all parties must demonstrate their commitment to peace and security. If this crisis escalates into next year, it could destabilize our once peaceful Osun State.

“Local government staff must remain non-partisan and adhere to the rule of law to avoid becoming political tools in the hands of any party,” he concluded.

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Top Reps Aspirant, Abudu-Balogun Assures Constituents of Inclusive, Progressive Representation

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Top Reps Aspirant, Abudu-Balogun Assures Constituents of Inclusive, Progressive Representation

 

It is an incontrovertible fact that Watersiders should GET IT RIGHT this time around by overwhelmingly support this distinguished Watersider, Hon. Abudu-Balogun to emerge as the Candidate of APC for the Federal House of Representative in the 2027 elections.

Apart from being a respected politician among the creme-de-la-creme professionals in politics in Ogun State, and undoubtedly a prominent grassroots politician of Waterside extraction, Hon. Abudu-Balogun has seen it all in National politics that will be of great benefits to the Federal Constituency if eventually elected.

 

Hmmm! With the emergence of the distinguished Senator Solomon Adeola (Yayi) as the consensus Governorship candidate of APC in Ogun State, Waterside agitation for enduring developmental projects and its realisation like Deep Sea Port, assumption of Oil producing LGA via Eba Oil deposits, sustainable Electricity Supply would be a walk-over. This anaysis is predicated upon a scientifically established empirical evidence that Hon Abudu-Balogun is a sustainable Bridge between this Federal Constituency and the Powers that be at Federal level.

 

He has the competence, he posseses the Capacity, he has the cognate political experience, he has fortified the developmental blueprint, he has worked tirelessly, and earned the link to facilitate the expected developmental projects to this Federal Constituency.

 

Above all, Hon Abudu-Balogun has concluded political and economic arrangements to galvanise support in all respects from the main actors at the National and sub-national levels in the country for the tasks ahead.

 

TENI NI TENI. This is the time TIME FOR “ACTION” in the realisation of the enduring Developmental Agenda (that has been eluding us from time immemorial) for the entire Federal Constituency, particularly, our dear Ogun Waterside LGA.

 

Distinguished Watersiders, particularly, the comrade professional politicians and the astute Professionals in politics, please factcheck this. Hon Abudu-Balogun is a very popular and honoured politician in Ijebu-North LGA, he is cherished and respected professional in politics in Ijebu-East LGA, he is a consistently consistent rare breed politician in Waterside who has the interest of Waterside development at heart.

 

ACTION needs our support, he needs our endorsement at this political turning point of our dear LGA, the Wealth Side of Ogun State.

Iwe teni, iwe teni, iwe teni o.

Ajuse ri Dede Eni o.

Happy Sunday to us all.

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ADC Unstoppable, Like the Sun — Aregbesola Declares at 8th National Convention

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ADC Unstoppable, Like the Sun — Aregbesola Declares at 8th National Convention

 

 

ABUJA — Former Osun State Governor and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, has declared that the party remains “unstoppable,” likening its rise to the inevitability of the sun, despite what he described as attempts by the ruling establishment to weaken opposition forces.

Speaking at the ADC’s 8th National Convention, Aregbesola said the party’s existence is rooted in the will of Nigerians and protected by the constitution, insisting that no political pressure or institutional interference could halt its progress.

“Just as no power can stop the sun from rising, so can the ADC not be stopped,” he told delegates.

Blasts Political System, Accuses Ruling Forces of Undermining Democracy

The ADC leader accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of actions he described as anti-democratic, alleging efforts to frustrate opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections.

He criticized what he termed the normalization of political “criminality,” arguing that recent political realignments and electoral practices undermine democratic integrity.

According to him, ADC does not owe its existence to any individual or institution but to Nigerians “tired of deceit and mismanagement.”

Harsh Assessment of Economy, Security, and Governance

Aregbesola painted a grim picture of the nation’s condition, citing economic decline, rising inflation, and worsening living standards.

He noted that the naira’s depreciation from about ₦700 to ₦1,400 per dollar reflects what he described as poor economic management, while fuel prices have surged significantly, making daily life difficult for citizens.

On security, he described the current situation as one of the worst in Nigeria’s history, raising concerns about increasing violence and what he called a lack of empathy from leadership in responding to national tragedies.

ADC Positions Itself as Nigeria’s “Rescue Mission”

The former minister said the ADC has, within months, transformed into a major opposition force, claiming it now represents the “hope of the Nigerian people.”

He outlined the party’s rapid structural expansion, ongoing membership drive, and efforts to build alliances with other opposition groups including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

Aregbesola emphasized that the party is preparing to challenge the APC in the 2027 general elections through what he described as a “united opposition front.”

Defends Party Leadership Changes, Convention Legitimacy

Providing details of internal restructuring, Aregbesola said the emergence of new leadership, including David Mark as caretaker national chairman, followed due constitutional process and was duly communicated to INEC.

He argued that the commission’s refusal to monitor the convention violates provisions of the Electoral Act, insisting that ADC fulfilled all legal requirements.

Alleges Persecution of Opposition Figures

The ADC leader further accused the government of using state institutions such as anti-corruption agencies and security services to intimidate opposition politicians.

He cited cases involving figures like Nasir El-Rufai and Aminu Tambuwal, describing the trend as a dangerous signal for democracy.

Calls for United Front Ahead of 2027

Aregbesola concluded with a rallying call for Nigerians to support the ADC’s mission to restore “freedom, security, and prosperity,” warning against political apathy.

“A democracy without opposition is an autocracy,” he said, urging citizens to reject what he termed any attempt at political “coronation.”

Closing Note

The convention, themed “So that Nigeria will work for Freedom, Security and Prosperity,” brought together party delegates and stakeholders, marking a significant step in ADC’s preparations for the 2027 elections.

 

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CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO APC CONSENSUS GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE, SENATOR SOLOMON OLAMILEKAN ADEOLA YAYI

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CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO APC CONSENSUS GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE, SENATOR SOLOMON OLAMILEKAN ADEOLA YAYI*

 

On behalf of our Grand Patron, Dr. Tunde Osinowo (Pepperito Jnr.), we leaders and Members of Ogun East for Yayi heartily congratulate Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) for being the consensus Governorship candidate of our party, APC, in the 2027 election.

This is marvelous and indeed great in the sight of God.

Without mincing words, the choice of Yayi by the party stakeholders is the best and the most surest assurance to coast the Party to victory at the general elections come February, 2027.

We commend the maturity, dispositions and spirit of sportsmanship with which all the Gubernatorial aspirants embraced the decision and extended hands of fellowship to Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola Yayi, the Gubernatorial Hopeful.

We beseech God to grant Yayi and all of us, leaders, followers and supporters, the enablements to see him duly elected as Governor of Ogun State at the general election in Jesus mighty name.

We congratulate the incoming Governor of Ogun State and our Excellency in waiting, Yayi.

This is Yayi O’clock.

Praise God!

Mo yo fun e, mo yo fun ra mi.

 

 

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