The Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, has cautioned members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) claiming to be local government chairmen and councillors against attempting to open accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Speaking during a media chat with the Osun Online Publishers Association (OOPA) at the state government secretariat on Wednesday, Alimi emphasized that Osun State is governed by the rule of law, not a “Banana Republic.” He warned that any attempt by the sacked officials to collaborate with the CBN or other government agencies to access local government funds would have legal consequences, potentially leading to imprisonment.
Alimi stated that these individuals have no constitutional authority to unilaterally open accounts for local governments at the apex bank. His remarks followed last week’s directive from the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), which instructed council chairmen nationwide to approach the CBN to open local government accounts.
In response, Alimi asserted, “They dare not go there. We have a structured system. Local government chairmen are not signatories to government accounts. Even the governor is not a signatory—he can only approve transactions.”
He further warned that “No CBN governor will allow unauthorized individuals to open private accounts to receive government funds. Anyone who believes they can exploit federal backing to access these accounts will eventually face imprisonment.”
Alimi also criticized the Osun APC for defying a court ruling that declared vacancies in all local governments. He maintained that the Court of Appeal judgment in the Action Peoples Party (APP) case, which removed the APC chairmen, remains the only valid legal position.
Addressing allegations of misappropriating ₦3.7 billion during his tenure as Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alimi dismissed them as distractions aimed at diverting attention from the ongoing probe into the past administration.
He stated, “If the ALGON Chairman spent ALGON funds, how does that concern me? Those making these claims will soon hear from my lawyer. If they believe there is a case against me, they should petition the EFCC instead of spreading falsehoods in the media.”
Alimi clarified that local government funds were utilized by the appropriate authorities and reaffirmed that he was neither a signatory to any government accounts nor had control over ALGON expenditures.
He also issued a warning to former Commissioner Prince Adebayo Adeleke and Mr Jamiu Olawumi, demanding a public retraction and apology for their statements. Failure to comply, he said, would lead to legal action.
Before the February 22 local government election, the Osun chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) instructed its members to stay home due to security concerns. As of the time of this report, local government workers in Osun have yet to resume duties at their respective council secretariats.
