The chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Osun State, Hon. Abiodun Idowu, has chided Governor Ademola Adeleke for demanding local government allocations, describing the move as a display of ignorance following the Supreme Court judgment affirming local government autonomy.
Idowu was reacting to a broadcast by the governor in Osogbo on Monday, in which Adeleke accused APC council chairmen of illegally occupying local government secretariats across the state.
According to Idowu, the governor’s demand for control of local government allocations contradicts the Supreme Court ruling granting financial autonomy to councils.
“The governor is displaying ignorance by demanding local government allocations after the Supreme Court has clearly ruled on local government autonomy,” he said.
Responding to allegations of illegal occupation of council secretariats by APC chairmen, Idowu expressed surprise at Adeleke’s position, noting that the governor had previously insisted that the chairmen had no tenure.
“It is surprising to hear Governor Adeleke saying all these things. Earlier, he told the people of Osun State that we had no tenure at all,” he said.
“The governor and his cohorts have consistently said that we have no tenure whatsoever. So why is he now talking about tenure termination? Which tenure is he referring to? It is too funny to listen to,” Idowu added.
Citing the February 10, 2025 judgment of the Court of Appeal, Idowu said the ruling had vindicated and legalised their continued occupation of the council offices.
“As far as we are concerned, we won the Court of Appeal judgment of February 10, 2025, and we are relying on that judgment. That is why we are in the local government councils till now,” he said.
He disclosed that the matter has since been taken to the Federal High Court in Osogbo for clarification on whether the issue should be determined by the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court.
“We have gone to the Federal High Court in Osogbo to seek a determination on whether the matter lies before the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court. It is after that we will know whether we still have tenure or not. The matter comes up on February 3,” he said.
Idowu maintained that their continued stay in office remains lawful pending the outcome of the case.
“Our stay at the councils, as far as we are concerned, is legal because we have gone to court to determine our tenure. The governor is fully aware that we have been in the councils since February 10, and we will remain there until otherwise stated by the court,” he said.
Reacting to claims that former governor Adegboyega Oyetola directed security agencies to back the APC chairmen, Idowu dismissed the allegation, saying Oyetola had no involvement in the matter.
“We are products of local government autonomy and we are enjoying that autonomy. Oyetola is not involved in this issue in any way,” he said.
He urged Governor Adeleke to resolve any grievances he has with Oyetola without dragging the APC chairmen into the controversy.