PDP Lawmakers in Osun Call on Tinubu to End Illegal Control of LGs

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led national and state assembly representatives from Osun State demanded over the weekend that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu order the “illegal occupants” in the state’s local government districts to leave right away in order to prevent a crisis.

“The PDP as a party and the government in the state are law-abiding, which is why they have chosen the path of peace and law instead of throwing the state into crises,” read a communique released and made available on the weekend, following a stakeholders’ meeting of the members led by Sen. Lere Oyewumi on behalf of PDP National and State Assembly Members from Osun State.

Additionally, they urged the president to make sure that all federal agencies and institutions operate strictly within the parameters of the constitution and that local governments receive their funds directly into their (LG) accounts, which are opened and run by career officers with constitutional mandates rather than political office holders.

The statement further emphasized that “we found that police officers are, regrettably, aiding the illegal occupation in the local governments by converting local government areas into police stations.” Consequently, we urge the Inspector General of Police (IG) to order his officers to return to their posts and to permit law-abiding individuals to occupy the local government offices.

In managing issues pertaining to local government administration in Osun State, the PDP National and State Assembly Members requested the Inspector General to make sure the Nigeria Police Force stays impartial, professional, and solely directed by the law.

It emphasized that local government management and LG fund management must adhere completely to the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s Constitution, current court rulings, and Osun State laws passed in accordance with Section 7 of the Constitution. No one, regardless of rank or prior position, has the power to overrule court rulings or meddle in local government funding.

“That we reaffirm our collective commitment to accountable public fund management, legislative oversight, constitutional order, and the defense of democratic institutions.”

The statement also praised Ademola Adeleke, the governor of Osun State, for his dedication to the welfare of workers and citizens in spite of the financial difficulties brought on by the local government crisis, stating that his efforts to maintain local government salary payments and ongoing development projects throughout the state show responsible and caring leadership.

In the interest of continuity, stability, and long-term progress for Osun State, the members believe that “after reviewing the governor’s performance in infrastructure development, workers’ welfare, healthcare, education, and democratic stability, we unanimously endorse and give our total support to Governor Ademola Adeleke, for a second term in office.”

“Under Hon. Sunday Bisi’s leadership, we looked at the party’s recent progress in the state. We voted for his leadership, the performance of the State Working Committee, the party’s leadership in each of the state’s 332 wards, and the party’s leadership in each of the 30 local government area offices. They continue to serve as the party’s executives in Osun State, we state unequivocally.

All members of the national and state assemblies condemn the unlawful diversion of public cash into private wallets, they added.

Yet, members contended that “teachers, nurses, healthcare professionals, local government civil servants, retirees, and traditional institutions at the grassroots are suffering needlessly as a result of the ongoing withholding of local government allocations due to Osun State.” Public funds must not be politicized or the focus of unnecessary intervention.