FG Undermining Court Judgment, Funding APC’s Illegal Councils — Omoluabi Progressives

The Omoluabi Progressives, a political bloc within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has accused the Federal Government of undermining the rule of law and promoting illegality through the release of seven months’ withheld local government allocations to sacked All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmen and councillors in Osun State.

Addressing journalists at the Oranmiyan House in Osogbo on Monday, the Chairman of the group, Alhaji Azeez Adesiji, described the action as “a calculated assault on democracy and a show of brazen impunity.”

Adesiji noted that the APC officials, popularly known as “Yes or No Chairmen,” had been removed by a valid and subsisting judgment of the Federal High Court in Osogbo, which declared the October 15, 2022 local government election null and void.

“The court’s verdict remains binding and unchallenged. The APC’s appeal was struck out for lack of diligent prosecution. Therefore, anyone parading himself as council chairman or councillor is doing so illegally and without constitutional authority,” he stated.

He accused the APC-led Federal Government of releasing the allocations to advance a political agenda ahead of the 2026 Osun governorship election.

“This move is not just unconstitutional but an open theft of the people’s resources. It is political brigandage wrapped in the garb of governance,” Adesiji declared.

The group warned that the development sets a dangerous precedent for governance and accountability, describing it as “a reflection of creeping fascism and deliberate sabotage of the democratic process.”

“We condemn in the strongest terms this reckless interference by the Federal Government. It is clear evidence that the APC administration is desperate to manipulate Osun politics and subvert the will of the people,” the group said.

Omoluabi Progressives called on civil society organisations, labour unions, and the international community to resist what it termed “authoritarian tendencies” and to defend the sanctity of local government autonomy.

The group also warned the sacked chairmen against tampering with the released funds, stressing that such an act would amount to criminal conduct.

“Local government funds belong to the people and must only be accessed by legitimate, constitutional authorities. We urge anti-corruption agencies like the ICPC to immediately investigate and recover any misused funds,” Adesiji added.

He vowed that the Omoluabi Progressives would continue to defend the rule of law and resist every attempt to mortgage the future of Osun people for political gain.