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The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Osun State chapter, has raised alarm over what it described as an “unprecedented abuse of power” by top Federal Government officials in the handling of statutory allocations meant for local government councils in the state.
At a press conference held on Sunday in Osogbo, NULGE alleged that the Minister of Finance, the Accountant General of the Federation, and the Attorney General of the Federation had since March 2025 been channeling funds meant for Osun’s 30 local government councils into “illegal accounts” opened by court-sacked chairmen and councillors of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The union described the development as “scary and alarming.”
It added that paying public funds into privately-controlled accounts was “bizarre, unbelievable and unprecedented in the history of public administration in Nigeria.”
According to NULGE, the accounts were opened with the United Bank for Africa (UBA) by the ousted APC officials, contrary to due process and in total disregard of existing council accounts domiciled in various commercial banks and managed by career officers.
The union recalled that the Federal High Court, on May 15, 2025, had ordered all parties in the dispute to maintain the status quo, an order duly acknowledged by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The matter, it noted, is still before the court and scheduled for further hearing on Monday, September 29, 2025.
“We are not politicians. We are career officers, and our duty is to protect the assets of the councils. We cannot be expected to work with politicians sacked by competent courts but being imposed on us by the Attorney General. This is supposed to be a democracy, and we insist on the rule of law.”
“It is worrisome that these officers and the Federal Authorities, which they represent, do not have respect for the authority of the courts. A country that does not respect its judicial authorities is digging its own grave,” the statement said interalia.
NULGE maintained that both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal had effectively sacked the APC officials from office, with fresh elections held and new chairmen and councillors duly sworn in.
It accused the Attorney General of overreaching his powers by allegedly attempting to reinstate the sacked officials through financial control.
The union also expressed fears that the action was a deliberate attempt to destabilize Osun State and possibly pave the way for a declaration of emergency rule.
NULGE urged the judiciary to assert its authority and protect the sanctity of its judgments, while assuring members that it would continue to explore legal and peaceful means to address the crisis.
It subsequently appealed to residents to remain peaceful and support Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration in maintaining law and order.
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