The Advocacy for Good Governance in Nigeria, Osun State Chapter (TAGGIN), has strongly condemned what it describes as a disturbing pattern of financial recklessness and abuse of public trust involving funds belonging to the 30 Local Government Areas in Osun State.
According to reports, the so-called APC “Yes/No” chairmen allegedly facilitated the withdrawal of about ₦600 million per local government amounting to approximately ₦18 billion from the illegal accounts. These acts have raised grave concerns about financial misconduct and the blatant diversion of public resources.
Further claims suggest that these withdrawals have been ongoing through illegal account reportedly created since February last year with federal backing. More troubling is the assertion that these funds are now being spent indiscriminately under the guise of executing road grading projects across the state.
TAGGIN unequivocally condemns this act. What is being portrayed as infrastructural intervention, particularly the so-called road grading, appears to be nothing more than a cover to siphon public funds. The scale of spending does not in any way correspond with the actual value or quality of the work done, raising serious questions about transparency and intent.
The road grading exercise, as observed, reflects a gross misuse of resources and lacks justification for the enormous sums reportedly expended. It is increasingly evident that this initiative is being used as a conduit for looting public funds under the pretense of development, a situation that must not be allowed to continue.
These funds are statutory allocations meant to cater to critical needs at the grassroots level, including salaries of primary school teachers, healthcare workers, council staff, and traditional rulers’ entitlements. Diverting such funds for questionable projects not only undermines governance but also directly impacts the welfare of the people.
At a time when the state government is already undertaking visible developmental projects, channeling scarce local government resources into dubious grading exercises and questionable procurements is both unnecessary and wasteful.
The people of Osun will not condone this. There is a growing demand for full transparency, accountability, and an independent investigation into the handling of these funds, especially given concerns about the legality of those accessing them.
TAGGIN therefore calls on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to immediately launch a thorough and unbiased investigation into this matter.
This alleged diversion is not only irregular but illegal. Public funds must not be converted into tools for political gain or electioneering strategies ahead of the 2026 governorship election. The people of Osun deserve better.
We demand:
1. Investigation into every alleged withdrawal including the current ₦18 billion withdrawal and its utilization.
2. Full recovery of any misappropriated funds and prosecution of all culpable individuals.
3. Strict adherence to due process in the management of local government funds.
4. Collective resistance by citizens against any form of corruption and financial abuse.
Enough is enough. Public resources must serve the people, not political interests.
TAGGIN remains committed to holding any political leader accountable and safeguarding the integrity of governance at the grassroots level.
E-signed: Comrade James Onifade
National Coordinator, TAGGIN
