Beware of supporting open illegality in administering Osun LGAs-- Oluomo Kolapo Alimi warns HLAs

Jide Akano & Lateef Adeyemi

Heads of Local Government Administration (HLAs) in Osun State have been counselled to avoid being involved in the prevailing open illegality in the various local government councils across the state .

This counsel was given by Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi at a meeting convened by the Local Government Service Commission for the Council Areas Career Heads in the State.

While describing operations in the council areas by the yes or no chairmen as blatant brigandage, Alimi sternly warned the career officers "not to be willing partners in perpetrating such  brazen illegality, which sooner than later will not go unpunished"

Alluding to the NBA report and the minority opinion of a supreme Court Judge on the issue of who should be in charge of council areas in the State, the Commissioner asserted that, " what is currently playing out in the third tier of government in Osun is a clear abuse and misuse of power which anybody, with iota of the fear of God, should not partake in."

Commissioner Alimi advised the HLAs to make facts and good conscience their watchwords in performing their duties, at this material time, so that they could retire peacefully from the service untainted.

He further admonished the local government administrators: " Don't allow anybody to harass or intimidate you. Even legitimate local government executives have no power over you, not to talk of illegal ones. The granted local government autonomy does not remove the glearing illegality on ground.",  the Commissioner concluded.

Barr.Kolapo Alimi however enthused that the legal framework for those that would be dignitaries to local government accounts has been perfected.

Speaking on behalf of the LGSC Chairman, Hon. Tunji Adeleke (Jnr), the Commissioner 1, Hon Jimoh Adetoro, who appreciated the Information Commissioner for his quality representation of government at all times, also lauded the HLAs for doing their job conscientiously despite all encumbrances for over a year.

He admonished them to work very hard to ensure the return of Governor Ademola Adeleke so that the ongoing good governance, based on transparency and accountability,can continue beyond 2026.

Speaking in the same vein,  Commissioner 2 in the Agency, Hon. Adesina Alaran appreciated the HLAs for their endurance, understanding and loyalty while the quagmire in the council areas persist.

Alaran however observed that despite the tight conditions under which they were compelled to operate, they still adhere to instructions from the Commission, without running fowl of the law.

In his speech, the Permanent Secretary in the Commission, Mr. Mudashiru Oyedeji disclosed that  the meeting was convened to show gratitude to the HLAs for keeping faith with the State Government and the Commission inspite of all intimidations, enticement, coarsion, inducement, and other forms of dealings to secure their partnership.

While appreciating the State Helmsman for making the appointment of the new HLAs a reality, he admonished the entire body of the local government career heads to maintain a high level of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

Speaking on behalf of the Forum, the State HLAs Forum Head, who also doubles as the National President of the Union, Dr Adewale Adedapo led the new appointees in songs of appreciation to God and the State Government for their elevation.

The Forum Head also appreciated the State Governor, advancing that despite financial frustration by the Federal Government, Adeleke kept doing his best to ensure that the system did not collapse.

Dr. Adewale Adedapo then admonished them to reciprocate the kind gesture of government with continued steadfastness, integrity, commitment and resilience, adjudging that," Governor Ademola Adeleke has done wonderfully well."

The meeting was attended by the entire management team of the Commission.