The Osun State Government has categorically denied allegations suggesting that it is pressuring career officers in local governments to alter signatories for council accounts amid ongoing disputes between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party and the opposition All Progressives Congress regarding local government control.
The Chairman of the Allied Peoples Movement in Osun claimed that Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration is coercing local government finance directors and heads of local administration to change account signatories. There are allegations that 30 Finance Directors and Heads of Local Administration were forcibly taken to an undisclosed location to compel them to make these changes.
In response, Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, dismissed these claims as baseless speculation. He stated that the Commissioner for Local Government has confirmed no directive was given to change signatories, labeling the accusations a “false narrative.”
The opposition APC has called for local government workers to return to their posts, stressing the importance of neutrality amid political tensions. Jamiu Olawumi, a spokesperson for the party, indicated that reinstated local government chairmen have given staff a 72-hour ultimatum to resume duties, while the Osun chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress has rejected this ultimatum, citing concerns over worker safety.
Olawumi insisted that it is imperative for local government workers to focus on their responsibilities and remain non-partisan. He encouraged them to report back to work as expected. Meanwhile, efforts to contact the NLC Chairman for comments were unsuccessful.
In light of the ongoing crisis, a local civil society group has urged all parties to seek judicial resolution for the dispute. The Executive Director emphasized the need for a peaceful outcome as Osun prepares for the 2026 gubernatorial election, calling for all stakeholders to respect court decisions and uphold the rule of law to prevent any escalation of tensions in the state.
