The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, has denied allegations by the Osun State House of Assembly that he is behind the alleged diversion of local government funds in the state.
Oyetola, speaking through his media aide, Dr Bolaji Akinola, described the allegations as baseless, malicious and politically motivated.
Akinola said the claims, contained in a statement issued by the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun, on Sunday, were an attempt to drag the minister into what he called a purely constitutional and legal matter concerning local government administration.
He stressed that Oyetola has no constitutional or statutory role in the administration or disbursement of local government funds and has never issued directives to any bank or interfered in the running of local councils.
According to him, all local governments in Nigeria enjoy financial autonomy and operate independently of both state governments and private individuals.
“The attempt to link Dr Oyetola to the administration of local government funds is reckless propaganda designed to distract from the Osun State Government’s own challenges and ongoing legal disputes,” Akinola said.
He argued that the Assembly’s statement merely recycled earlier allegations made by Governor Ademola Adeleke, which he described as efforts to reassert state control over council funds in defiance of existing court judgments.
Akinola referenced the Supreme Court judgment of July 11, 2024, which he said granted full financial autonomy to local governments and barred state governors from interfering in their affairs.
He also cited a Court of Appeal judgment delivered on February 10, 2025, which he said reinstated the elected local government chairmen in Osun State. According to him, the state government did not appeal the ruling, making it binding and enforceable.
He rejected the description of the chairmen as “illegal,” insisting they were duly elected and reinstated by the court.
“No amount of political rhetoric can nullify binding judicial pronouncements,” Akinola said.
He added that the Osun State Government had filed multiple court cases on the matter and should await judicial outcomes instead of resorting to public accusations.
Akinola further alleged that an extended strike by local government workers had disrupted council activities, describing it as part of efforts to frustrate the functioning of the councils.
He maintained that local governments have the authority to administer their funds independently, with elected councillors forming their legislative arms as provided by the Constitution.
The minister’s aide accused the Speaker of misrepresenting legal issues and cautioned against what he described as inflammatory public statements, including remarks directed at the President.
He called on Nigerians and civil society groups to defend the principle of local government autonomy and respect for court judgments.
