The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, Osun State chapter, has warned the Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria against paying the allocations to the state local government areas to those it described as “impostors.”
Addresing media briefing on Wednesday at the hall of the State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Abere, Osogbo, Osun NULGE President, Kehinde Ogungbangbe, said it was unlawful for the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to have requested that chairmen be among the two persons that would apply for opening and maintenance of the LG account at the CBN Osogbo Branch.
Ogungbangbe, while acknowledging the receipt of a letter dated 10th June, 2025 that emanated from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, titled: RE “Payment of Statutory Allocation to Osun State Local Government and Opening of Account,” and signed by one Okolie Rita O. (Director Federation Account Department) Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation,
He said, “In the letter, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation requested for the opening of the Account for the Thirty (30) Local Governments in Osun State, with the following conditions: “This is to inform you that CBN has requested that the Local Governments should apply for opening and maintenance of the Account as the CBN Osogbo Branch, through any two persons out of the following Officers: Chairman, Treasurer or Director, Finance and Administration or Director of Personnel Management”.
Disagreeing with the Federation Accountant-General, Ogungbangbe said, “NULGE had informed the Honourable Minister of Finance, the Accountant-General of the Federation as well as the CBN Governor that the authorized signatories to Local Government Accounts in the Osun State are the Director of Finance and Supplies and the Director of Administration and General Services with the Head of Local Government Administration and Council Chairmen confirming the Schedules.
“We hereby use this medium to remind Your Excellencies that, by Law, the authorized signatories to Local Government Accounts are the Career Officers. Specifically, the Directors of Finance and Supplies and the Directors of Administration and General Services. The Head of Local Government Administration and the Council Chairman shall counter sign for confirmation as stipulated by the Law.”
The NULGE boss alleged that there is a plot by the CBN to pay Osun council allocation into personal accounts of some impostors, saying such action would amount to illegality and incur the anger of the local council employees.
“Now, there is a grand plan by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to pay Osun State Local Government Allocation into personal accounts of some impostors who are not Local Government Staff. We urge them to adhere to this provision to prevent any further complications and avoid financial malpractice.
“NULGE remains committed to upholding the Law and frowning upon any illegality that may be introduced into our Service. We will continue to prioritize the welfare and safety of our members while advocating for a peaceful resolution to this crisis. We are pained by this impasse and our members are anxiously waiting to resume back to duty as soon as a permanent solution is found to the crisis,” he said.
The union, addresing the media for the first time since it abandoned duties four months ago, recalled how it directed its members to stay at home in accordance with the directive of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Osun State Chapter to protect themselves from potential harm owing to confrontation between the chairmen of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party and the opposition All Progressives Congress.
Ogungbangbe urged all the stakeholders to prioritise dialogue and find a peaceful resolution to the impasse.
“We call on all parties involved, including His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and facilitate a resolution,” he appealed.
He asked all parties to engage in dialogue and respect the rule of law, noting that “The Judiciary should be allowed to handle the matter peacefully.”
Asked on when council workers would resume work across all LG secretariats in the state, Ogungbangbe said the employees would remain at home “until a resolution is reached.”
Recall that the APC chairmen had claimed that they have occupied the council secretariats.