The Osun State Government has dismissed claims that any court ordered the reinstatement of All Progressives Congress (APC) local government chairmen and councillors in the state, warning that attempts to withhold local government funds amount to an attack on grassroots residents.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Alimi, said no court, including the Court of Appeal in its February 10, 2025 judgment, issued any direct or executory order reinstating APC council officials.
“Contrary to APC propaganda, no court ordered the reinstatement of APC’s illegal local government council administrators. What is being witnessed is a political attempt to smuggle power through the backdoor after losing it through lawful means,” the statement said.
The government cautioned that using court judgments as justification to block local government funds was unacceptable, stressing that such funds are meant for teachers, health workers, sanitation services, traditional institutions and community development.
“Local government funds are for the welfare of the people, not for settling political scores. Anyone obstructing these funds is openly declaring war on the Osun grassroots populace,” the statement added.
On the conduct of local government elections, the state government insisted that the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission would carry out its duties lawfully and not under intimidation or political pressure.
It further clarified that local government autonomy does not give room for lawlessness, stressing that individuals cannot declare themselves in office, seize public facilities or access public funds without legal backing.
The government warned that any attempt to frustrate local councils or cripple grassroots development would be noted by the electorate, assuring that the rule of law would prevail and the people’s mandate would be protected.
The statement comes amid ongoing disputes over the control of local government councils in Osun State, with the APC insisting its chairmen were reinstated by the Court of Appeal, a claim rejected by the state government, civil society groups and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
