‘We’ve Taken Charge Of Osun LG Funds’, Says APC ALGON

The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has claimed that it has taken full charge of local government councils and their funds across the state.

Speaking while addressing members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osun Correspondents’ Chapel, in Osogbo, the Osun APC-led ALGON chairman, Mr Samuel Abiodun Idowu, said there was no legal barrier to their reinstatement and operation as heads of the third tier of government.

Idowu, who is also the reinstated chairman of Ifedayo Local Government Area, stated that a recent Supreme Court judgment on the leadership crisis in the councils favoured his faction, adding that they are now in control of full statutory allocations.

“The Supreme Court judgment has come and gone, and it is six against one. Anybody bringing anything against that is just a novice. We are so much in charge of local councils in Osun, and very soon, we will be rolling out programmes in the state,” he said.

He assured residents that meaningful grassroots development programmes would begin from next year, noting that full activities would commence in early 2026.

“The grassroots is the most important stage of society, and joking with that level is going to be a lot of wastage for the people,” Idowu added.

The ALGON chairman also commended the media for what he described as fair reportage of the controversies surrounding the councils and thanked President Bola Tinubu for ensuring local government autonomy.

“President Tinubu has done well by bringing this autonomy to local councils, and I am sure in a few years to come, our towns and villages would have improved if this autonomy can be well monitored and implemented,” he said.

Idowu further claimed he had an official letter from the national ALGON leadership recognising him as the sole ALGON chairman in Osun State, describing any other claimant as “a counterfeit.”

He disclosed that the ALGON leadership had approached the Federal High Court in Osogbo to seek clarification on when the tenure of council chairmen elected during the administration of former governor Gboyega Oyetola would lapse, stating that he believed their tenure commenced on February 10, 2025, pending the court’s decision.