The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned the freezing of statutory allocations and bank accounts linked to the Osun State Government, describing the development as “political terrorism” and an assault on democracy.
The opposition party also accused the Federal Government of using state institutions to intimidate the Osun State Government and allegedly influence the outcome of the August 15 governorship election.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC alleged that the withholding of funds was part of a broader strategy to weaken the state government and frustrate its operations ahead of the governorship poll.
The party linked the development to what it described as President Bola Tinubu’s “win-at-all-cost” approach to politics, warning that such a mentality could threaten Nigeria’s democracy and national stability.
According to the ADC, restricting the funds could affect the payment of workers’ salaries, the operation of primary healthcare centres, education, rural infrastructure and other essential public services.
“The freezing of the statutory allocations due to the local governments of Osun State is not an administrative decision or a legal dispute. It is political terrorism by the Bola Tinubu-led APC government carried out with the instruments of the Nigerian state in order to undermine the state government ahead of the coming governorship election,” the statement read.
The party alleged that the withholding of the allocations was only one aspect of what it described as a systematic campaign against the Osun State Government.
It also accused unelected APC loyalists of continuing to occupy local government councils in the state, alleging that their continued presence was contrary to democratic principles and the rule of law.
The ADC further alleged that opposition politicians, including members of the Accord Party, had been subjected to arbitrary arrests for political reasons.
It accused security agencies of failing to address alleged acts of violence by political thugs in the state.
The party claimed that some armed groups allegedly linked to the All Progressives Congress (APC) had intimidated political opponents, while accusing some elements within the Nigeria Police of providing protection to the groups.
The opposition party argued that the developments pointed to what it described as a deliberate attempt by federal authorities to undermine constitutional governance and democratic institutions in Osun State.
It maintained that political competition should not be treated as warfare, stressing that opposition-controlled states should not be subjected to federal intimidation.
“Political opponents are not enemy combatants. Opposition-controlled states are not occupied territories. Public institutions do not belong to whichever party temporarily controls the federal government,” the statement said.
The ADC called for the immediate restoration of statutory allocations due to Osun State’s local governments, an end to what it described as federal intimidation of the state, and the restoration of constitutional order.
“The people of Osun deserve the democratic right to freely choose who governs them. Right now, they have been placed under a siege. This rascality has to stop,” the party added.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
What do you think about this?
Drop your opinion in the comment section.
FOLLOW US & Share this with someone who needs to see this.
