LG Autonomy: Don’t withhold state allocations, Osun IPAC begs FG
By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo
Following the October 10 deadline issued by the Federal Government regarding state allocations, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Osun State, has appealed to the Federal Government not to withhold the allocation for the 30 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state over the failure to elect council executives.
It will be recalled that the Supreme Court granted financial autonomy to LGAs, and the Federal Government gave a three-month ultimatum, which will lapse on October 10, 2024, for states to elect executives. Failure to do so would result in the suspension of their allocations.
Our correspondent gathered that OSSIEC had scheduled February 22 for the Local Government election in the state.
Meanwhile, political parties under the umbrella of IPAC, on Tuesday, while addressing newsmen after a stakeholders’ meeting at the OSSIEC office in Osogbo, urged the Federal Government not to stop the allocation to LGAs in Osun State, noting that the process to elect executives is already in motion.
Victor Akande, the IPAC and Osun State Accord Party Chairman, explained that the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) had begun the process of conducting the LG election before the Federal Government granted autonomy.
“We are appealing to the Federal Government not to withhold the allocation for all the LGAs in Osun State because OSIEC has been working on conducting the LG election since January, even before the FG approached the Supreme Court for autonomy.”
He added, “Osun State is already in the process, and they have not violated any law because the state law mandates that election notices be given 360 days before the election date, in line with the 2022 Electoral Law.”
Akande also reassured Osun State citizens not to panic, as the necessary legal steps are being taken to prevent the Federal Government from withholding allocations.
“We urge the citizens of Osun State to remain calm and assured that our government will listen to us and not withhold our allocation,” he stated.
Furthermore, the political parties passed a vote of confidence in OSSIEC, stating that the state electoral umpire had convinced them it would be transparent in conducting a credible, free, and fair election.
“The political parties agreed that the OSIEC team has assured us beyond reasonable doubt that they will be transparent and conduct a credible, free, and fair election in February 2025.
“As a result, we have given them our vote of confidence today and pledged our support to ensure the election is one that will be recognised nationwide for its fairness.”
He continued, “We also resolved that there will be a peaceful campaign leading up to the February 2025 election. Political parties have agreed to convey this to their members, and we fully support OSIEC’s campaign against cybercrime, cultism, and drug abuse.”
He emphasised the importance of a violence-free election, saying, “No citizen’s life is worth the ambition of any politician.”
In his remarks, the OSSIEC Chairman, Barrister Ashim Abioye, assured the people of Osun State that the commission would ensure the conduct of a free, fair, and credible election.