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An Osun based civil society organisation, The Osun Masterminds (TOM) has commended the Osun State Government for approaching the Supreme Court to resolve the lingering crisis over the withholding of local government funds.
The commendation formed part of TOM’s August State of the State address delivered in Osogbo on Friday by its Executive Director, Prof. Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli.
Prof. Oyedokun-Alli described the state government’s decision as a bold step taken in the interest of democracy and grassroots development.
He noted that the Appeal Court pronouncements had left the state in a logjam, hence the need for clear judicial interpretation from the apex court.
Recalling earlier calls by the group, he said: “Our counsel then was met with stiff criticism from many pro-government quarters. We were called names for simply advising government to exhaust all legal possibilities instead of resorting to self-help. We are glad today because that advice has been heeded and the Osun State Government has approached the Supreme Court to seek redress.
“As stated earlier, we are happy as a group, that the Osun State Government has finally taken the correct route, and has approached the Supreme Court. This is in the best interest of not just democracy, but the welfare of our people. The Local Governments remaining shut over the months crippled development in the grassroots and we must get this vital arm of government back up.”
The lingering crisis over local government administration in Osun had pitched the government against the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) elected officials.
Following violent clashes in February, Governor Ademola Adeleke directed PDP officials not to resume office to safeguard peace in the state.
The call for judicial resolution had also been echoed by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), traditional rulers in a meeting at Ile-Ife, and religious leaders, all of whom urged parties to approach the Supreme Court.
In its address, TOM urged the state government to build on the progress by convening a stakeholders’ meeting across political parties, faith-based organisations and community groups to deliberate on the way forward.
It also charged the government to work with security agencies to provide protection for local government employees and ensure the restoration of grassroots governance.
The statement read: “Convoke a meeting of stakeholders in Osun, across all political parties, faith-based organizations and community development organizations, to deliberate on the best way to ensure peaceful co-existence across our Local Governments. The events of the past months have divided us deeply, and the Governor needs to ensure that ranks are closed and peace is restored.
“Collaborate with security agencies to provide necessary security cover for Local Government employees to resume work. Their continued absence from work is crippling the Local Governments and it must be stopped immediately.
“These steps, if taken, will restore the proper functioning of our Local Governments and restore the peace of our grassroots communities. We want to believe that the Governor is a man who is deeply disposed to peaceful coexistence and will thus do everything necessary to maintain peace in our State.”
TOM further appealed to the opposition APC to take advantage of the Supreme Court process to resolve pending arguments once and for all.
“We also advise the stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress, who are the other parties to the Local Government issue, to kindly use the opportunity of the Supreme Court to settle all pending arguments on the matter. This path of legality is the only surefire way to ensure that our society continues to run like a proper human society,” it concluded.
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