The Osun State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, under the All Progressives Congress, APC, has provided details on how council finances have been managed following allegations raised by the State House of Assembly.
The explanation came after comments credited to Adewale Egbedun, Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, who, on behalf of the House on Sunday, alleged that substantial sums were diverted by chairmen of local governments elected on the APC platform.
Responding during a press briefing in Osogbo on Monday, the state chairman of ALGON, Abiodun Idowu, said the councils operated strictly within the framework of existing laws.
Idowu explained that the process of opening and regularising local government accounts was lengthy and guided by statutory requirements.
“Members of the public should be aware that the process took over seven months before it was fully concluded,” he said.
According to him, “all salary payments and financial transactions were carried out only after meeting conditions stipulated by the Local Government Administration Law. No payment was made without the approval of the legislative arm of each council, as required by law.”
Idowu added that these procedures were designed to prevent any breach of financial regulations at the local government level.
He maintained that the allegations suggesting illegal handling of funds did not reflect the operational realities within the councils.
“For the avoidance of doubt, there is no illegality being perpetrated in the administration of local governments in the state,” Idowu said.
He also clarified that the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, had no involvement in local government administration in Osun State, contrary to claims attributed to the Assembly leadership.
