The local government chairmen elected under the All Progressives Congress in Osun State, have said the state Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, was responsible for the delay in the execution of developmental projects across the council areas in the state.
A statement by the leader of the APC chairmen, Mr Idowu Abiodun, said “Adeleke’s government litigations on the issue of local government administration in the state had been halting grassroots development
The APC chairmen condemned Governor Adeleke’s demand for the release of local government allocation into the joint accounts, noting that the Governor doesn’t possess such power as it contradicts the Supreme Court judgment in respect of local government autonomy.
The statement said, “It is unfortunate that the people in government in the state have been trying so hard to mislead the public on the allocation of local governments in Osun. On the contrary, the truth of the matter is that Osun Local Government Allocation has been released regularly and promptly as and when due into the various Councils’ Accounts – meaning that the federal government not at any point, withheld Council funds. Till this present moment, all the funds due to our councils had been paid up till date, except that Governor Adeleke has been responsible for the full control of the funds due to plethora of legal suits being instituted against the full access to the funds.
“In contrary to Governor Adeleke’s claims, I want the people of the state particularly residents of our various Councils to hold Governor Ademola Adeleke responsible for the delay in the execution of developmental projects which we had made in our appropriation bills recently presented to the Councils’ Legislative Arm.
“Let me make it abundantly clear that Governor Adeleke do not have the executive power to demand the release of Council funds as this is in gross contradiction to the Supreme Court judgment on autonomy of local government administration in Nigeria. Also, the council Chairmen and Councillors deliberately approached the Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo to seek judicial interpretation of our tenure knowing fully well that our tenure began the day we were reinstated by the judgment of the Appellate Court – which, till today, the respondents – PDP and its cohorts had failed to appeal to the Supreme Court. This, by implication, our reinstatement remains valid and constitutional until the three-year expiration of our tenure in 2028.”
Follow the OSUNDOTLIFE channel on WhatsAppKindly share this story | All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from OSUNDOTLIFE.
Contact: editor@osun.life
WhatsApp: 📲 +2348092333666