A civil society organisation, Osun Grassroots Watch, has criticised the recent protest staged by a faction of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) chairmen in Osun State, describing the action as misplaced and unnecessary.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its Executive Director, Dr. Yemisi Adetona, the group expressed concern over what it called an attempt to distort facts and draw the judiciary into avoidable controversy.
The organisation argued that the matter at the centre of the protest is strictly between a commercial bank and the relevant authorities, noting that the protesting ALGON chairmen are neither the financial institution involved nor listed parties in the case.
Read the full statement
The Osun Grassroots Watch has followed the protest staged by some APC faction of ALGON chairmen in Osun State with concern, not because citizens spoke out, but because of the clear attempt to twist facts and drag the judiciary into unnecessary controversy.
Let’s be clear from the outset: the matter in question is between a commercial bank and the appropriate authorities. The ALGON chairmen are not the bank, neither are they listed parties in the case. So, their sudden interest raises a simple question, what exactly is their stake in this matter?
When public office holders begin to act as spokesmen for private institutions, people are right to question the motive behind such actions.
Even more troubling is the tone of their protest, which leans dangerously toward pressuring the judiciary. That path is not only wrong, it is risky. Judges and magistrates must be allowed to do their work without noise, threats, or political grandstanding. Once we normalize protests aimed at intimidating judicial officers, we weaken the very system we all depend on.
If there are genuine grievances about court decisions or procedures, the law already provides a clear path, go back to court and file an appeal, seeking clarification. That is how a society governed by law operates.
Taking to the streets to spin narratives and whip up sentiments is not a substitute for due process.
On the substance of their claims, the argument does not hold up. Magistrate Courts have the authority to handle criminal matters. That is basic law. The case in question is criminal in nature, and nothing suggests that the Magistrate acted outside that jurisdiction.
It is also important to separate issues properly. Matters reportedly before the High Court are civil in nature.
They do not automatically stop criminal proceedings unless there is a clear and specific order saying so. You cannot stretch a civil process to block a criminal trial simply because it suits a political narrative.
What we are seeing, unfortunately, is an attempt to create confusion where there should be clarity.
Grassroots Watch therefore urges those behind this protest to tread carefully. Osun State does not need unnecessary tension or manufactured crises. This growing pattern of “Yes/No” politics, where everything is turned into a battle line, does more harm than good. It heats up the polity and distracts from real governance issues.
At the end of the day, the rule of law is not defended with placards or loud statements. It is defended in the courtroom, through patience, evidence, and proper legal channels. Anything outside of that is simply noise.
