By John Dike, Osogbo
A non-political organization in Osun State, the Coalition of Concerned Nigerian Citizens (CCNC), has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the crisis surrounding the alleged withholding of Osun local government funds.
It lamented that the action has worsened the hardship currently being experienced by residents across the state.
At a press conference at the Correspondents’ Chapel in Osogbo, the coalition’s leader, Comrade Abdulsalam Musa Akinkunmi, and the secretary, Comrade Owolabi Hassan Tobest, gave the Federal Government a three-day ultimatum to release the funds or face what they described as drastic measures, including confrontation.
Akinkunmi said, “We want to say, with all sense of responsibility, that if the Federal Government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu fails to do the needful, we will have no choice but to use the last ‘C’ of activism, which is confrontation, to seek justice.
“We do not want Osun local government funds politicized any further. Osun is not the only state that has not fully implemented local government autonomy, and our people should not be made to suffer unnecessarily.”
The CCNC warned that failure to act within the stipulated three days would result in a nationwide response.
“We urge the Federal Government to prioritize the welfare of the masses and release the withheld funds to prevent further suffering.
“CCNC will always stand for justice and protect the rights of our people. We will never allow ourselves to be used as tools by any government.
“Our demands are simple: good governance, effective security, and improved employment opportunities for better living conditions.”
Akinkunmi also demanded the immediate reopening of Amotekun offices across Osun State, noting that the security outfit was established to complement the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force.
He warned against disrupting the operations of the Amotekun Corps, emphasizing that the agency has played a significant role in reducing criminal activities in the state.
He therefore called on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to unseal its offices.
Akinkunmi further recommended the prosecution of those responsible for the killing of innocent persons in Akinlalu community, stressing that such incidents should not be used as grounds to shut down Amotekun operations.
“Those who committed the killings should be arrested and prosecuted. Amotekun offices should be reopened because they complement the police in fighting crime,” he said.
He said that security is a collective responsibility and should be a priority for all.
