Osun: APC takes control of LG secretariats, freeze council accounts

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

The purportedly reinstated Osun All Progressives Congress (APC) Local Government chairmen and councillors ordered the immediate freezing of various council accounts as they resumed office on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the APC reportedly took control of Local Government secretariats across the state.

The State Secretary of the APC, Kamorudeen Alao, confirmed the takeover of all 30 local government areas. According to Alao, the takeover was peaceful, with no incidents of violence or unrest.

During a press conference, the chairmen cautioned Governor Ademola Adeleke and other officials responsible for council resources against unauthorized use of public funds, emphasizing that such actions could have serious consequences.

They also warned the state government and the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) Chairman, Hassim Abioye, against proceeding with the planned local government election, citing the Appeal Court verdict that reinstated them.

Hon. Abiodun Idowu, Chairman of Ifedayo Local Government, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his exemplary leadership and strict adherence to the rule of law. He also praised the professionalism and commitment of the state’s security agencies.

Idowu, who also serves as the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), reaffirmed their commitment to good governance at the grassroots level.

“Having returned to office, we want to reaffirm our commitment to serving our people better. Our social contract to create jobs and wealth for the teeming youth of the state will be implemented without compromise,” he said.

“All our chairmen will work assiduously to create value chains in the agricultural sector to ensure food security in our state. We will focus on mechanized farming so that farmers across the state will have a new lease of life.

“We are aware of the shortage of teachers in our schools and health professionals in our health centers. We pledge to fill this shortage in no distant time.

“We have met as an association and concluded that the 1,500 teachers and over 2,000 health workers employed by the APC administration of HE Adegboyega Oyetola but sacked upon Governor Ademola Adeleke’s assumption of office will be reabsorbed into the system.

“Since their salaries and emoluments are statutorily charged from the Local Government Allocation, we believe that bringing them back to render essential services to the people of the state will not hinder governance progress.”

Idowu emphasized that local government leadership exists to prioritize citizens’ welfare and well-being. “The modalities for reabsorbing the 1,500 teachers and over 2,000 health workers will be communicated to the concerned employees in due course,” he stated.

He concluded by affirming that the council chairmen and councillors were ready to collaborate with the state government to ensure the people of the state receive the full dividends of democracy.