Osun LG crisis: Respect Supreme court mandate – ALGON warns Speaker

The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Osun State Chapter, has issued a definitive warning to the State House of Assembly, demanding that the legislative arm cease its interference in the administration of local councils.

Addressing a press conference in Osogbo on Monday, the State ALGON Chairman, Hon. Idowu Abiodun, asserted that the local governments are constitutionally autonomous entities, bolstered by the landmark Supreme Court judgment on financial independence.

He cautioned the Assembly, led by Speaker Wale Egbedun, to steer clear of council operations and accept the legal reality that prohibits state control over local government allocations.
Abiodun criticized the state government for its persistent attempts to undermine the third tier of government, alleging that the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke has instituted over 14 lawsuits in a cynical bid to thwart the smooth running of the councils.

He specifically refuted allegations of fund diversion leveled by the Speaker, stating that no such infractions have occurred since the current chairmen assumed office in February 2025.

Instead, Abiodun accused the state government of orchestrating a year-long administrative paralysis by instigating council workers to abstain from work between February 2025 and January 2026, a move he described as an unprecedented attempt to cripple governance at the grassroots.

The ALGON Chairman further revealed that to save the local government system from total collapse during the state-induced strike, the councils lawfully established independent bank accounts with the United Bank for Africa (UBA) following a rigorous seven-month procedural review.

He characterized the recent legislative actions and vituperations from the House of Assembly as subtle attacks on the Presidency and the Supreme Court for their roles in enforcing financial autonomy.

Warning against the record low standard of governance in the state, Abiodun urged the Speaker to focus on law-making rather than spreading cheap propaganda aimed at discrediting innocent individuals, including the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola.