The Osun State Government, on Wednesday, refuted claims that it was forcing career officers in local governments to change signatories to council accounts amid the ongoing tussle between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party and the opposition All Progressives Congress over local government control.
The Chairman of the Allied Peoples Movement in Osun, Mr. Adewale Adebayo, had alleged that Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration was coercing Finance Directors and Heads of Local Administration to alter council account signatories.
He affirmed that Adeleke’s government has started taking 30 Local Government Area Finance Directors and Heads of Local Administration to an undisclosed location forcefully. This is unconnected to the contention over who controls the local government.
The HLAs and the Directors of Finance were taken to these locations to be pressured into changing signatories of council accounts to the newly elected officials.
These individuals have been reportedly held against their will, an act that undermines the principles of democracy and the rule of law.
“Despite judicial pronouncements from the Court of Appeal upholding the October 15, 2022, council election, the state government continues to act in a manner that contradicts the spirit of the verdict,” Adebayo alleged.
But responding swiftly, Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, dismissed the allegations as “mere speculation.”
This is just an attempt to say something because the Commissioner for Local Government has confirmed that he never gave such a directive. They have made themselves look foolish in the eyes of the public, so they want to create a false narrative.
“We have never changed any local government account signatories. They should remain troubled. APM is just crying more than the bereaved,” Alimi stated.
Meanwhile, the APC in Osun has urged local government workers to return to their duty posts, insisting that they should remain neutral in the political tussle over council control.
Jamiu Olawumi, a former Special Adviser on Education under ex-Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, who has been speaking for the party, emphasized that the reinstated local government chairmen had already given workers a 72-hour ultimatum to resume work.
The Osun chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, however, rejected the ultimatum, with Chairman Christopher Arapasopo stating that workers would only return when their security was guaranteed.
Olawumi, however, insisted that workers were expected at their duty posts from Thursday, adding that chairmen and councillors were already running the councils without them.
“It is quite unfortunate that they (workers) are becoming partisan. They need to understand that they are not employed by the state government but by individual local governments. That is why they have Heads of Local Government Administration.
“We encourage them to eschew partisanship and focus on their work. The ultimatum lapses today (Wednesday), and we expect them to resume tomorrow (Thursday). If they don’t, we will continue persuading them to see reasons why they must not be partisan. We are running, and we are running,” Olawumi said.
Amid the crisis, an Osun-based civil society group, “The Osun Masterminds,” has called on all parties to return to court to resolve the dispute.
Speaking in Osogbo, the Executive Director of the group, Prof. Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli, urged an end to inflammatory remarks that could worsen tensions.
*”All parties must immediately return to the relevant courts to clarify the subsisting judgments so that the current issues can be amicably resolved.
“Once clarified, all parties must respect the decision of the courts and lay the matter to rest once and for all.
“As we approach the 2026 Osun gubernatorial election, all parties must demonstrate their commitment to peace and security. If this crisis escalates into next year, it could destabilize our once peaceful Osun State.
Political Implications for the 2026 Election
The ongoing political crisis in Osun State, stemming from the tussle over local government control, is setting the stage for what could be a highly contentious 2026 gubernatorial election.
With both the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) locked in a bitter dispute over local government administration, the tension is escalating, raising concerns about the stability of the state’s political landscape.
1. Voter Sentiment and Trust in Governance
The inability of the state government to resolve the crisis amicably may erode public trust in governance. If the perception grows that the PDP-led administration is unfairly manipulating local government structures, it could alienate undecided voters who value democratic principles and transparency.
Conversely, if the opposition is perceived as inciting unrest, it may also lose credibility among the electorate.
2. Strengthening of Opposition Movements
The APC and other opposition groups may capitalize on the controversy to mobilize grassroots support. By positioning themselves as defenders of democratic institutions and workers’ rights, they could rally support from civil servants and residents who feel disenfranchised by the state government’s actions.
3. Potential Legal Battles and Election Litigation
With calls from civil society groups like “The Osun Masterminds” for legal resolution, the matter could drag into prolonged court battles. If unresolved, legal disputes over local government control could spill into the 2026 election, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty and possible post-election litigation.
4. Security Concerns and Electoral Violence
The tensions brewing from this crisis could translate into heightened political violence during the election. If political actors continue to make inflammatory remarks and deploy strong-arm tactics, there is a risk of voter suppression and disruptions at polling units, further threatening the integrity of the electoral process.
As the 2026 election approaches, stakeholders must prioritize stability over political gains. Legal clarification on the status of local government administration is essential to ensuring a peaceful political environment. Additionally, political leaders must refrain from actions and rhetoric that could incite violence or deepen divisions within the state.
With Osun State historically being a battleground for both PDP and APC, this crisis could shape electoral outcomes significantly. Whether Governor Adeleke’s administration successfully resolves the controversy or whether the opposition leverages it to its advantage remains to be seen. However, one thing is certain: the resolution of this dispute will play a crucial role in determining Osun’s political future in 2026.
