Osun government caught in political storm over alleged manipulation of local government finances

DDM News

The Osun State Government has strongly denied allegations of coercing career officers in local governments to alter official account signatories unlawfully.

Diaspora digital media (DDM) gathered that This firm denial comes amid escalating political tensions between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) over local government control.

Adewale Adebayo, the Chairman of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), accused Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration of intimidating financial officers to comply with its directives.

He alleged that 30 Local Government Area Finance Directors and Heads of Local Administration were being taken to an undisclosed location against their will.

According to Adebayo, these actions were politically motivated and designed to strengthen the PDP’s control over local government administration across Osun State.

He insisted that Adeleke’s government was deliberately undermining democratic processes by pressuring civil servants to make unauthorized financial changes that favored the ruling party.

The opposition leader further argued that these actions were part of a broader strategy to weaken the APC’s political influence at the grassroots level.

He urged the public, civil society organizations, and relevant authorities to resist what he described as an illegal and desperate political maneuver.

Osun state government fires back, labels accusations baseless and misleading

Reacting swiftly, the Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, dismissed APM’s claims as outright falsehoods meant to mislead the public.

Alimi described the allegations as a deliberate attempt by opposition figures to create unnecessary political tension and disrupt governance in the state.

He stated that the Commissioner for Local Government had never issued any directive instructing career officers to alter local government account signatories.

According to Alimi, APM’s claims were an attempt to divert attention from their own political failures and mislead their supporters with false narratives.

He accused the opposition of engaging in deliberate misinformation campaigns aimed at creating panic and undermining the credibility of Governor Adeleke’s administration.

Alimi insisted that the government had not engaged in any illegal financial dealings within local government structures or forced officials to comply with unlawful directives.

He challenged APM to provide concrete evidence supporting their claims rather than making baseless accusations intended to discredit the ruling party.

The commissioner further stated that the opposition was engaging in political propaganda as a survival strategy in Osun’s evolving political landscape.

He reassured the public that Governor Adeleke’s administration remained fully committed to transparency, accountability, and due process in all governance matters.

Local government control: the brewing political battle in Osun State

The struggle for control over local governments in Osun has intensified, with both PDP and APC aggressively contesting for political dominance at the grassroots level.

Governor Adeleke’s administration has encountered significant resistance from opposition-backed officials still occupying key positions in several local government councils.

Many of these officials were installed under the previous APC-led administration and continue to wield considerable influence over local governance structures.

The PDP-led state government has raised concerns regarding financial mismanagement allegedly committed under the opposition-controlled councils before Adeleke assumed office.

Conversely, the APC has accused the PDP of attempting to impose its loyalists in key council positions to seize control of local government funds.

This prolonged power struggle has fueled allegations, counter-allegations, and legal battles, with neither side willing to back down from the conflict.

Calls for accountability and political stability

Political analysts have warned that continued political battles could cripple local government administration and hinder developmental projects meant to benefit the people.

They have urged both the ruling party and the opposition to set aside personal ambitions and prioritize governance over political disputes.

Several stakeholders believe that an independent investigation is necessary to establish the truth behind the allegations of financial manipulation and coercion.

Residents of Osun State have expressed concerns that the prolonged tension could negatively impact service delivery and grassroots development initiatives.

Many citizens believe that political leaders should shift their focus to improving infrastructure, healthcare, and education rather than engaging in partisan struggles.

The Osun State Government has maintained that it has not engaged in any illegal activities and remains committed to upholding democratic principles.

Officials have assured the public that no career officer is being pressured to alter financial records or change account signatories unlawfully.

They reiterated that any reforms or policy changes within local governments would be implemented transparently and in full compliance with legal frameworks.

Conclusion: what next for Osun State?

As the political battle intensifies, the future of local government administration in Osun remains uncertain, with both parties refusing to concede ground.

The opposition continues to insist on its claims of financial manipulation, while the ruling party maintains that its actions are legitimate and within legal boundaries.

Observers are closely monitoring the situation to determine whether the controversy will escalate into protracted legal disputes or trigger significant political realignments.

For now, Osun residents are left waiting to see whether governance and public service delivery will take precedence over political rivalry.

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