The Osun State Government has warned that any attempt to block or divert funds meant for local governments should be seen as an assault on ordinary citizens at the grassroots, not an attack on the state administration.
This position was made known in a statement released on Wednesday, the 14th of January, 2026, by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Alimi. The government faulted the actions of some political actors, describing them as “hostile to the welfare of Osun people,” and cautioned that such moves would inflict serious hardship on communities that rely heavily on services provided by local councils.
The statement comes against the backdrop of growing disputes surrounding the administration and control of local government councils across the state.
Alimi rejected assertions by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that its former council chairmen had been reinstated through judicial rulings, insisting that no court made such an order.
“No court, including the Court of Appeal in its judgment of February 10, 2025, issued a direct or executive order reinstating any APC local government chairmen or councillors,” the statement said.
According to the government, the opposition is seeking to regain influence through political manoeuvring after losing authority via legitimate and lawful processes. It characterised the effort as an attempt to “smuggle power through the backdoor.”
The government further stressed that court judgments should not be twisted or exploited as excuses to starve local councils of funds, noting that such resources are earmarked for vital public needs at the grassroots.
“Local Government funds are for teachers, health workers, market women, traditional institutions and sanitation not for settling political scores.”
It added that, “Anyone blocking these funds is declaring war on the Osun grassroots.”
On the issue of local government elections, the state government maintained that elections would be organised strictly in accordance with the law, dismissing allegations of intimidation or undue pressure.
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“Elections will be conducted lawfully, not at gunpoint or under propaganda pressure,” it said.
The statement also clarified that the principle of local government autonomy does not give room for individuals to unlawfully occupy offices or gain access to public funds without proper legal authority.
The government concluded by warning those allegedly interfering with the operations of local councils that the public is watching closely and would express its position through democratic channels. It reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the rule of law and safeguarding the mandate of the people.
The statement follows earlier demands by civil society organisations and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) calling on APC chairmen to vacate their positions, arguing that their tenure ended in October 2025 and accusing the Osun State Police Command of protecting what they described as “illegal executives.”