The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) confirmed that the Federal Government has released six months of withheld allocations for the state’s local government areas. However, the APC denied allegations that these funds were deposited into private accounts of the council chairmen elected in October 2022, asserting they were paid directly into local government councils’ accounts.
In contrast, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) expressed skepticism about the payment, demanding transparency regarding the accounts into which the funds were deposited. The PDP questioned how the Federal Government could release funds to accounts that were unknown to the state’s financial officials.
The situation escalated when the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) accused the Federal Government of illegally disbursing the allocations to accounts allegedly opened by APC chairmen and councillors, despite ongoing court cases regarding their positions. NULGE Chairman Dr. Nathaniel Ogungbangbe labeled the payments as “bizarre” and “unprecedented,” alleging that the Attorney-General and other officials abused their offices.
The Osun APC responded, dismissing the allegations as falsehoods aimed at benefiting the PDP. The party stated that the funds went directly to local government accounts and criticized NULGE for overstepping its authority in interpreting court rulings.
The PDP, in turn, called for full disclosure of the accounts and signatories involved in the payments, stating that all statutory officers in the local governments were unaware of any deposits. They warned that failure to provide answers would suggest a massive diversion of funds by the APC.
This clash underscores ongoing tensions in Osun State politics, with both parties accusing each other of misconduct as they navigate the implications of the federal allocations on local governance.
