By John Dike, Osogbo
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Awotunde-led faction of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Osun State on Friday celebrated the Supreme Court’s judgment on the controversy over withheld local government allocations.
Both groups hailed the decision as a landmark ruling that reaffirms constitutional order and exposes alleged illegal actions linked to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.
In a statement signed by its State Chairman, Hon. Sunday Bisi, the PDP in the state described the judgement as a “major indictment” of the AGF, claiming it had “lifted the veil over unconstitutional directives” issued to the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Ministry of Finance.
The party alleged that the AGF instructed financial institutions to pay funds to persons it described as “illegal entities,” despite subsisting court rulings affirming the February 22, 2025 local government elections conducted by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC).
According to the PDP, the AGF encouraged the sacked chairmen to open bank accounts contrary to court orders, a move the party said amounted to an attempt to “rewrite the Nigerian Constitution.”
It said that the Supreme Court verdict rendered the bank accounts opened in the United Bank for Africa (UBA) by the affected individuals “inoperable and criminal.”
Bisi said the judgement had “exposed the illegalities and partisan arrogance” surrounding the AGF’s actions, adding that it restores clarity to Osun’s local government structure.
He urged stakeholders to respect the Supreme Court’s ruling and warned security agencies against providing illegal protection to individuals removed by court orders, describing such actions as an invitation to unrest.
The party also commended the Awotunde-led ALGON for its “patience and patriotism,” and thanked residents for their support throughout what it termed a “dark period imposed by rejected APC forces.
Also, the Sarafadeen Abiodun Awotunde (Spain)-led faction of ALGON expressed “profound appreciation” to the Supreme Court for what it called a landmark judgement affirming the rightful status of democratically elected local government chairmen in Osun State.
In a statement signed by Awotunde, ALGON described the verdict as “a victory for constitutional order, local government autonomy, and the will of the Osun people expressed on February 22, 2025.”
The association noted that the Supreme Court made it clear that only elected chairmen, inaugurated after the nullification of the Oyetola-era process—possess the legal standing to file any action regarding local government allocations.
The apex court also reaffirmed that local governments, not state governments, are the proper parties in matters concerning their constitutionally protected funds.
ALGON commended the Court for reinforcing earlier orders barring banks from releasing local government funds to unauthorized persons.
Awotunde said the ruling “removed every doubt” and strengthened the foundation of true local government autonomy.
“Let everyone know that the main points of the judgment are sacrosanct; all parties involved in the legal battle should return to the Federal High Court, and the Yes/No chairmen have no tenure left,” Awotunde added.
The ALGON chairman also confirmed that Governor Ademola Adeleke personally congratulated the association after the judgement, describing the ruling as a “big plus for grassroots democracy.”
Awotunde assured residents that ALGON would continue to uphold transparency and good governance across the state’s local councils, while warning the sacked Yes/No chairmen against “fraudulent activities.”
“We dedicate this victory to God and to the resilient people of Osun State,” he said. “ALGON will not relent in championing fairness, justice, and effective service delivery.”
