The Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Osun State chapter, has raised a serious alarm, warning the office of the Accountant General of the Federation and the Central Bank of Nigeria against plans to divert local government allocations to court-sacked officials.
The union alleged a plot to illegally release over eight months of withheld funds into the accounts of sacked All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmen and councillors, preempting a pending Supreme Court decision.
In a Sunday press statement signed by its President, Dr. Nathaniel Ogungbangbe, the union described the alleged move as “gross misappropriation” and a brazen attempt to subvert the rule of law.
The matter concerns the lingering crisis that has plagued local government administration in Osun State since February, when the Federal Government seized local government funds. This matter is currently before the Supreme Court for adjudication.
The union stated it had received credible intelligence that officials in the Accountant-General’s office were instructed to prepare the release of the funds. “We have, however, received credible information that officials of the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) have been instructed to prepare mandates to release Osun State local government allocations covering over eight months into accounts that do not belong to our local governments. Disturbingly, these accounts belong to chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who have been removed by the court as chairmen and councillors,” the statement read.
It further detailed the alleged clandestine activities, noting, “We competently gathered that the Director, Federation Account, and Director, Funds (names withheld) in the OAGF’s office, under the directive of the Accountant General of the Federation, worked late into Friday night and through Saturday, processing papers and figures to facilitate this illegal diversion. These desperate moves are a clear attempt to preempt the decision of the Supreme Court.”
NULGE issued a direct warning to the financial authorities, urging them not to comply with what it termed illegal directives. “We therefore issue a strong warning to the Accountant-General of the Federation, his officials, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and its officials: do not obey illegal directives. Criminal acts have no statute of limitations. Any payment of Osun State local government funds into private or fraudulent accounts will amount to gross misappropriation.”
The statement also clarified the legal process for authorising such payments, emphasising that the union’s concern is purely about protecting its members and the lawful process, not politics. “By law, only Directors of Administration and Directors of Finance are authorised signatories to local government accounts. However, the law is that the persons occupying the positions of these authorised signatories must be authenticated in writing by the Auditor General for the Local Governments of the State to ensure compliance with the law and avoid payment to impostors. Therefore, any impostors whose names may have been smuggled into CBN records are acting in clear violation of the law. We remind the CBN to steer clear of partisan politics and uphold its constitutional mandate.”
“We are not politicians and are not involved in the politics that are involved here. However, as a union, it is our duty and obligation to protect our jobs and stand by our members whose positions are being usurped by impostor politicians,” the union affirmed.
NULGE questioned the selective nature of the action, pointing out that Osun State is being singled out for punitive treatment while other states receive their allocations normally.
The statement also took aim at the Attorney General of the Federation, suggesting a conflict of interest. “It is curious and deeply troubling that the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the Accountant-General of the Federation and the CBN have singled out Osun State for this punitive treatment while local governments in the other 35 states continue to receive their allocations through accounts as provided for in the 1999 Constitution. Significantly, the AGF, who also served as counsel to the APC governorship candidate in the last Osun election, appears to be placing the rule of power and politics above the rule of law. This is unfortunate and unacceptable.”
The union insisted that the Supreme Court case must be allowed to proceed without interference, warning that the people of Osun State would not accept the injustice. “The case before the Supreme Court should be allowed to run its course without anyone foisting a fait accompli on the system. We insist that the people of Osun State will not accept this injustice. Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done. The rule of law must prevail over political desperation.”
Finally, NULGE made a broad appeal for support, calling on national and international bodies to join its call for the rule of law. “Accordingly, we call on well-meaning Nigerians, the Nigerian Bar Association, civil society organisations, and the international community to join our call for the rule of law in Osun State. The money involved belongs to the people of Osun State, not to any political party or group of politicians.”
The union’s alert sets the stage for a significant confrontation over local government autonomy and the rule of law, with millions in public funds at the centre of the dispute.
Discussion about this post