Osun APC Blasts Assembly Over Bill to Control LG Bank Accounts, Cites Supreme Court Autonomy Ruling

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has strongly criticised the State House of Assembly over the passage of a new bill seeking tighter control over local government bank accounts, describing the move as vindictive and contrary to the recent autonomy granted to councils by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

In a press statement dated February 24, 2026, and signed by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Mogaji Kola Olabisi, the APC accused the Osun State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Adewale Egbedun, of attempting to undermine the Supreme Court’s judgment granting unconditional financial and administrative autonomy to local government councils across the country.

The opposition party alleged that the newly passed legislation is a backdoor attempt to frustrate the implementation of the apex court’s decision, particularly in Osun State. It argued that any law that contradicts a Supreme Court ruling would be unenforceable and amount to what it described as a “time-wasting venture.”

The controversy follows reports that the Assembly passed the State Local Government Amendment Number 2 Bill, 2026, aimed at tightening oversight of local government accounts. The bill was reportedly adopted after the presentation of a committee report by Hon. Bamidele Rasheed, Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts.

According to the APC, the timing of the bill raises concerns, alleging that it aligns with what it called previous efforts by the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke to exert control over local government administration despite the Supreme Court’s pronouncement on autonomy.

The party further criticised the Assembly, describing it as overly aligned with the executive arm of government and urging lawmakers to demonstrate independence in their legislative duties. It maintained that the Supreme Court’s ruling on local government autonomy is final and binding, insisting that no state law can override the decision.

The APC also called on Governor Adeleke to respect the rule of law and work cooperatively with reinstated APC local government chairmen and councillors for the remainder of his tenure, which is scheduled to end in November 2026.

As political tensions continue to rise over local government administration in the state, the development signals a deepening standoff between the ruling government and the opposition over the interpretation and implementation of local government autonomy in Nigeria.