By Newspot Nigeria Politics Desk
The Osun State House of Assembly has issued a strongly worded press statement condemning what it described as deliberate misinformation and alleged financial impropriety surrounding the administration of local government funds in the state.
The statement, signed by Olamide Tiamiyu, Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, was issued in response to recent comments by Dr. Bolaji Akinola, Special Adviser to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, who publicly denied any ministerial involvement in local government finances.
According to the Assembly, Dr. Akinola’s assertion that the Honourable Minister “plays no role whatsoever” in local government financial matters is misleading and dismissive of what it described as documented disruptions to grassroots governance across Osun State.
The House emphasized that the controversy has no bearing on the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry but instead concerns alleged actions by Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, whom it accused of unlawfully interfering in local government administration and finances.
The statement reiterated that the February 10 court judgment did not reinstate the sacked APC local government chairmen, warning that any claim to the contrary amounts to either legal misinterpretation or intentional distortion.
Lawmakers further referenced a letter issued by the Nigerian Bar Association to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, which reportedly clarified the legal position on the judgment. The Assembly noted that the Attorney-General has yet to publicly respond to that correspondence.
At the heart of the controversy, the House said, are allegations of massive withdrawals from local government accounts while council secretariats remain non-functional and essential services stalled. The Assembly alleged that billions of naira meant for education, healthcare, and community development were reportedly diverted to private lawyers, politically aligned individuals, and illegal local government office holders.
The statement also raised concerns about the conduct of financial institutions, particularly UBA Plc, warning that any bank releasing public funds without lawful authorization risks criminal and regulatory sanctions. It described as troubling claims that some affected local government accounts are domiciled with the bank, questioning its alleged role in transactions said to undermine its own customers.
Rejecting claims that the controversy is driven by political desperation, the House insisted the matter is about accountability, transparency, and the proper use of public funds.
“Judicial pronouncements on autonomy were never intended to legitimise fraud, unlawful occupation of council secretariats, or unrestrained access to public funds,” the statement said, adding that democracy cannot serve as a shield for impunity.
The Osun State House of Assembly concluded by affirming that no political office holder or adviser is above the law and that all alleged financial irregularities must be fully investigated and accounted for.
— Newspot Nigeria
