Alimi
By John Dike, Osogbo
Osun State Government has cautioned Heads of Local Government Administration (HLAs) in the state against participating in alleged illegal activities in the administration of their councils.
It gave the warning through the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, during a meeting convened by the State Local Government Service Commission for career heads across the various council areas in the state.
He described the ongoing operations in some local government councils by individuals he referred to as “yes or no chairmen” as “blatant brigandage.”
He warned the career officers not to allow themselves to be used to perpetrate what he called brazen illegality.
According to him, anyone involved in such acts would eventually be held accountable.
“Do not be willing partners in perpetrating such brazen illegality, which sooner than later will not go unpunished,” Alimi warned.
He referenced the position of the Nigerian Bar Association and the minority opinion of a judge of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on the lingering dispute over who should control the councils in the state, insisting that the situation currently playing out in the third tier of government in Osun amounts to an abuse of power.
Alimi urged the HLAs to allow facts and good conscience to guide them in the discharge of their duties, adding that such conduct would enable them to retire from service with unblemished records.
He further advised the administrators not to succumb to intimidation or harassment from any quarters, noting that even legitimately elected council executives do not have the authority to override the professional responsibilities of career officers.
The commissioner, however, assured that the legal framework guiding those who would be signatories to local government accounts had been properly structured.
Speaking on behalf of the Chairman of the commission, Tunji Adeleke, Commissioner I, Jimoh Adetoro, commended the HLAs for remaining committed to their duties despite challenges confronting the local government system in the state.
Adetoro also encouraged them to continue working diligently to support the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke and ensure the sustenance of what he described as good governance based on transparency and accountability.
In his remarks, Commissioner II in the commission, Adesina Alaran, praised the administrators for their patience, loyalty and understanding amid the ongoing crisis in the councils.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the commission, Mudashiru Oyedeji, said the meeting was convened to appreciate the HLAs for remaining steadfast with the state government despite intimidation, inducement and other pressures aimed at compromising their roles.
Oyedeji urged the administrators to maintain a high level of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
Speaking on behalf of the forum, the Head of the Osun State HLAs Forum and National President of the union, Dr Adewale Adedapo, thanked the state government for the confidence reposed in them through their appointments.
Adedapo noted that despite financial challenges, Governor Adeleke had continued to support the system to ensure the smooth running of local government administration in the state.
He therefore urged members of the forum to reciprocate the gesture by remaining committed, disciplined and professional in the discharge of their responsibilities.
