Omoluwabi Progressives, a political group under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has denounced the release of the local government funds to “illegal political functionaries” in Osun State, calling the action a naked assault on democracy, the rule of law, and the Nigerian constitution.
Speaking at a press conference in Osogbo on Monday, the group’s chairman, Alhaji Azzes Issa Adesiji, counseled those chairmen and councillors whose accounts had allegedly been credited with money not to withdraw or spend it, as it was a criminal act that would be revisited at a proper time.
Adesiji claimed the federal government was undermining democratic institutions by withholding funds from duly elected local government executives and diverting the funds to candidates who were allegedly members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He claimed that the October 15, 2022 Osun local government election which brought the said officials into office was conducted in violation of the Electoral Act and had since been annulled by a Federal High Court, with the APC’s further appeal rejected.
“The APC’s attempt to base legality on a technical victory on pre-election matters, but ignoring a clear judgment that nullified the election, is laughable and the height of political rascality,” Adesiji stated.
He also criticized the federal government’s involvement, saying, “We condemn in the strongest possible terms this domineering nature of the Federal Government, which has shown by this act that it will stop at nothing to dominate institutions, desecrate the courts, and thwart the will of the people.”.
The forum reaffirmed its commitment to the rule of law and the dignity of Osun citizens, vowing to resist all schemes to annihilate democratic government in the state.
