By John Dike, Osogbo
The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Osun State chapter, has raised concerns over the continued withholding of local government allocations in the state since February 2025.
It warned against what it described as a dangerous attempt to subvert the will of the people and undermine judicial processes.
At a press conference held in Osogbo on Monday, the state president of NULGE, Dr. Kehinde Nathaniel Ogungbangbe, accused certain federal authorities of trying to bypass legal rulings and force the release of funds to sacked All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmen and councilors, whose removal from office has been affirmed by competent courts.
According to Dr. Ogungbangbe, the Osun State Government had, on May 12, 2025, approached the Federal High Court seeking an order to prevent the diversion of local government funds meant for the 30 local councils in the state. The court subsequently ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending further hearings.
He said, “Despite the court’s clear directive, attempts were made to open accounts for the dismissed officials to gain illegal access to these funds.
“It was only due to public outrage and the ruling of the Court of Appeal on June 13 that this impunity was halted.”
The union criticized the recent move by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation to request an urgent vacation hearing at an Abuja court, questioning the sudden urgency after months of inaction.
“They were served since May 16, yet they did nothing. Only the Central Bank of Nigeria filed a late response. Now, in August, they claim urgency and want to rush the case during vacation? This is not urgency—it’s manipulation,” the NULGE president said.
He further alleged that the office of the Attorney-General falsely claimed in its affidavit that it was not served with court documents—despite sworn affidavits from the court bailiff confirming service.
Quoting both Uthman Dan Fodio and Abraham Lincoln, Ogungbangbe emphasized the union’s resolve to resist any attempt to “ambush justice through the back door.”
He stressed, “The Court of Appeal has already ruled that the February 22, 2025 local government election in Osun remains valid and that the previous officials have no legitimate claim to office.
“So what’s left to hear urgently? We smell a plot to reverse the gains of democracy under legal pretenses.”
He called on the judiciary to resist undue pressure and stand firm in upholding justice, warning that any effort to divert Osun’s local government funds through legal shortcuts would be met with stiff, lawful resistance from the union and its members.
“This money belongs to the people of Osun State, not to a few powerful individuals,” he concluded. “We are watching, and we will not remain silent in the face of injustice.”
