The federal government’s decision to seize allocations meant for local government areas in Osun State over council polls stands in stark contrast to its silence on the sacking of democratically-elected council chairmen in Edo State,  writes

However, the state government berated the AGF, saying that Governor Okpebholo and the state assembly have the power to remove local government officials from office.

“Financial autonomy is about giving them access, but that does not mean state governments do not have control over how they use that money. The Supreme Court cannot amend the Constitution. Lateef Fagbemi might be the law officer of the federation, but he does not represent the constitution of the country and he does not represent other laws made validly under the provisions of the constitution by the Edo House of Assembly.

“The House of Assembly has the powers to oversee the activities of the governor, and similarly, the governor has the right to exercise oversight over local government chairmen. The current constitutional construct recognises a two-tier federal design. It is clearly stipulated in the Constitution,” the state government insisted through a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor (CPS), Fred Itua.

As the controversy raged, a High Court in Benin City, presided over by Justice Efe Ikponmwonba, ruled in a suit filed by the suspended chairmen, ordering that they should return to office. However, the state government felt unconcerned and ensured that the suspended local government officials did not return to office.

Despite various court judgments ordering the reinstatement of some of the council chairmen, the state government has not complied as Governor Okpebholo has since gone ahead to handpick leaders to head the councils in clear violation of the Supreme Court decision.

The question agitating the minds of many Nigerians is: Why did the APC-led federal government seize the statutory allocations of Osun LGAs and allow those of Edo State, which are being run by non-democratically elected officials to receive their allocations?

This is why many have condemned the decision by the federal government to withhold the Osun State local governments’ funds, holding that it does not only amount to hypocrisy but also shows its bias, inconsistency and double standard in applying the rules.

The federal government must be fair and just to all the states irrespective of party affiliations. Its action in Osun State lacks any known judicial backing. 

Already, the Osun State PDP has described the federal government’s action as politically-motivated, and called on Fagbemi to rise above personal and partisan considerations, and act as the guardian of justice and fairness for all Nigerians, regardless of party affiliation.

The party added that since Fagbemi had previously served as lead counsel to former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, a known political enemy of Governor Adeleke, the AGF ought to recuse himself from any matter directly or indirectly affecting the political ecosystem of the state, and allow the law courts to decide as appropriate.