The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has slammed the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, for allegedly stopping the statutory monthly allocation to local government councils in Osun State.
A statement by its Director of Media, in the state, Oladele Bamiji, accused the AGF of overstepping his constitutional mandate, abuse of office, political partisanship, and undermining the rule of law.
It condemned what it described as Fagbemi’s “deliberate and politically motivated interference” in the governance of the state, particularly the alleged obstruction of statutory financial allocations to local governments.
According to the party, “The recent directive, lacking any judicial backing, which halted the disbursement of funds to democratically elected local governments in Osun State, is a clear affront to constitutionalism,”.
Referencing the doctrine of separation of powers, and legal maxim delegatus non potest delegare, PDP said that the Attorney-General has trespassed his constitutional mandate.
It said that the the AGF’s actions amount to fiscal strangulation of duly elected local councils.
The party recalled Fagbemi’s previous legal representation of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola in the 2022 governorship litigation, arguing that such prior involvement compromises his impartiality.
Citing nemo judex in causa,the party said, “Mr. Fagbemi… ought to recuse himself from any matter directly or indirectly affecting the political ecosystem of Osun State,” the party asserted, sua.
It also condemned the alleged “extra-legal advisory” from the AGF to the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), which it claimed contributed to political instability and loss of lives during attempts to hold local government elections.
PDP called on President Bola Tinubu to act, urging him to “rein in” the Attorney-General.
“The President… should not allow Mr. Fagbemi to infuse undeserved dark spots of authoritarian tendencies on the government, whose overall performance will be judged by posterity in his name.”
The party callef for justice and constitutional adherence, reaffirming support for Governor Ademola Adeleke and elected Odin councils officials, saying, “Justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done.”
