A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has called on the Federal Government to release monthly allocations to the council chairmen of Osun State who were recently reinstated by the Court of Appeal. Oyintiloye made this request in a statement on Tuesday after speaking with newsmen in Osogbo, the state capital.
According to Oyintiloye, the reinstated chairmen, who were removed in 2022, have not received the necessary funds to carry out their duties since their dismissal. Now that the court has ruled in their favour, the APC chieftain argues that it is time for the Federal Government to ensure that these local government leaders are financially empowered to begin their work in their communities.
The APC chieftain’s appeal stems from the recent reinstatement of local government chairmen in Osun State who were initially removed from office by the state government in 2022. The court ruling, which confirmed their right to return to their positions, has been a significant moment in the political landscape of the state. However, since the chairmen’s removal, the councils have been without leadership, leaving local governance in limbo.
Oyintiloye pointed out that the delay in the release of funds has left the chairmen unable to carry out the responsibilities expected of them. He highlighted that the state government had spent public funds on the recent local government elections, which he termed a “waste of taxpayers’ money.”
“I want to appeal to the Federal Government to start releasing the monthly allocations to the APC-reinstated council chairmen in the state from this month,” Oyintiloye stated. “The chairmen were unable to work since 2022 when they were sacked, but now that the Court of Appeal has reinstated them, the allocation should be released to them.”
In his statement, Oyintiloye also highlighted his concerns over the use of public funds in conducting the recent local government elections. According to the APC chieftain, the elections, which were held despite the court’s ruling and the reinstatement of the original chairmen, were an unnecessary financial burden on the taxpayers of the state.
“The state government spent taxpayers’ money to conduct an election that was not necessary,” Oyintiloye said. “At the appropriate time, the state government will be held accountable for how they used the funds allocated for this election, as it was a waste of public resources.”
Oyintiloye continued to argue that the delay in releasing the funds had left local government workers and citizens at the grassroots level feeling neglected. He explained that the role of local government chairmen is vital for the delivery of essential services to the people, but without the necessary financial support, these leaders are unable to fulfil their obligations.
“This is the time for people at the grassroots to feel the impact of government, which has been neglected since 2022,” Oyintiloye said, calling on the Federal Government to act swiftly to ensure that the chairmen are able to resume their work and make a difference in their communities.
The APC leader further assured that the chairmen were now in a position to focus on governance and deliver the much-anticipated benefits of democracy to the people of Osun State.
“This is an important moment for the people of Osun. These chairmen have been reinstated, and now they must get to work,” he added. “The release of the monthly allocations will allow them to focus on delivering the dividends of democracy that the people have long awaited.”
Beyond financial support, Oyintiloye also expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the police in maintaining peace and security in the state. Since the reinstatement of the chairmen, there have been reports of tension, particularly from opposition groups. However, Oyintiloye praised the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for his professionalism and commitment to ensuring that peace prevailed in Osun.
“I want to commend the Inspector-General of Police for ensuring peace in the state and for the professional manner in which he has addressed security challenges,” Oyintiloye said, acknowledging the role of law enforcement in allowing local government chairmen to resume their duties without fear of intimidation.
The APC chieftain also praised the reinstated council chairmen for their resilience, despite the alleged intimidation from opposition parties, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). According to Oyintiloye, these chairmen have shown determination in the face of adversity and are now ready to serve their communities effectively.
The APC chieftain’s remarks have already sparked reactions from different quarters, with some supporting his call for the release of funds, while others have criticized the APC’s handling of the situation. As Osun State navigates its political challenges, it is clear that the local government chairmen will play a key role in the state’s governance, and the allocation of resources to them will be crucial for the successful delivery of services to the people.
