The Omoluabi Progressives have accused the Federal Government of violating the Nigerian Constitution through the alleged diversion of Osun State’s local government funds into private accounts operated by individuals they described as “illegal chairmen.”
Speaking at a press briefing held at the Oranmiyan House, Osogbo, on Monday, the Chairman of the group said democracy in Osun and Nigeria was under direct attack due to what he termed the “brazen assault on the rule of law and judicial authority” by the APC-led Federal Government.
He recalled that the October 15, 2022 local government elections conducted by the previous administration in Osun were nullified by the Federal High Court for contravening the Electoral Act. The appeal filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC), according to him, was later struck out, making the nullification judgment “valid, binding, and unchallenged.”
“By operation of law, those parading themselves as council chairmen and councillors are illegal. They have no lawful mandate, no constitutional backing, and no electoral legitimacy,” the statement read in part.
The group condemned what it called an “unconstitutional diversion” of Osun’s local government allocations into accounts opened in the names of the nullified chairmen, describing it as “a direct theft of the people’s resources.”
It also accused the federal government of “perpetrating fascism” by disregarding court rulings and using public funds to empower “rejected cronies.”
“This unconscionable act amounts to a declaration of war against the Nigerian Constitution and against the people of Osun State,” the group stated.
The Omoluabi Progressives also called on civil society organisations, labour unions, opposition parties, and the international community to resist what it described as “creeping authoritarianism” and to defend the sanctity of the judiciary.
The group however, demanded that:
- The so-called “YES or NO illegal chairmen” should not touch the funds in their possession, warning that doing so would be a criminal act.
- Local government allocations should be released only to legitimate and constitutional authorities.
- The Federal Government should stop using Osun people’s resources as a political war chest.
- Professional and democratic bodies such as the NBA, NLC, and civil society should unite to resist executive lawlessness.
“Our democracy was not won to be handed over to fascist dictates. We will resist this abuse of power, defend the law, and stand for the dignity of Osun people,” the group concluded.
