The Supreme Court’s dismissal of a suit filed by the Osun State Attorney General, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, seeking to compel the Federal Government to release withheld local government allocations, has triggered sharp reactions from political groups in the state.
The apex court on Friday struck out the suit, ruling that the legal action brought by the state government lacked competence. A seven-member panel delivered a split decision of six to one in favor of the dismissal.
Reacting to the judgement, the leadership and members of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), comprising chairmen elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), described the ruling as a “welcome development and a testament to the fact that the judiciary remains the last hope of a common man.”
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Mr. Abiodun Idowu, ALGON lauded the judiciary, affirming its commitment to good governance and grassroots development.
“This is a victory for democracy, victory for good governance and victory for the common man on the streets of Osun. We commend the judiciary in general and the justices of the Supreme Court in particular for this sound judgment that has practically ended protracted litigations over the control of our councils in Osun,” the statement read.
ALGON further emphasized its resolve to “resuscitate the dearth and inflictions that Osun government under Governor Ademola Adeleke has plunged our councils into, as we begin to bring the more desired change and development to the grassroots.”
In contrast, the Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in a statement signed by its chairman, Sunday Bisi, said the apex court’s pronouncement had “lifted the veil over the unconstitutional and erroneous directives” previously issued by the Attorney-General to the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Ministry of Finance, which instructed them to release local government funds to “illegal entities” in the state.
Bisi noted that the verdict affirms the supremacy of the judiciary and marks a “victory for democracy, good governance, and the common man,” echoing some sentiments expressed by ALGON while underscoring the PDP’s insistence on constitutional compliance in the management of public funds.
