The Chairman, Osun State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Sarafadeen Awotunde has accused the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) of colluding with members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to unlawfully open and operate bank accounts in the names of local government councils.
Addressing journalists in Osogbo, Awotunde alleged that the scheme was exposed when APC governorship aspirant Kunle Adegoke (SAN) appearing on a live TV programme that such accounts existed with APC members as signatories.
ALGON boss described the move as “a brazen illegality” and warned it was an attempt to divert Osun’s local government funds into political pockets, stressing that by law, only civil servants like Heads of Local Government Administration, Directors of Administration, and Directors of Finance are recognised signatories to council accounts.
He cited court rulings that nullified the APC Chairmen’s elections in 2022 and 2025, insisting they remained sacked. The group also alleged that the CBN’s Osogbo branch rejected genuine civil servants from opening accounts but accepted APC nominees instead.
To back this claims, ALGON Chairman presented court judgments, withdrawal of APC certificates of return, and fresh certificates issued to PDP Chairmen in February 2025.
Responding to Awotunde’s claim, the Osun APC spokesperson, Kola Olabisi dismissed the allegations, describing the PDP Chairmen as impostors. He argued that a February 10, 2025, Court of Appeal judgment reinstated APC Council Chairmen, making them the lawful heads of local governments in Osun.
The controversy deepens the lingering tussle over control of Osun’s 30 local government Councils, with both parties citing conflicting court rulings to justify their positions.
