Osun Assembly Approves Local Government Accounts Bill to Curb Political Interference

The Osun State House of Assembly has approved the Osun State Local Government Accounts Administration Bill 2025, introducing a new legal framework aimed at tightening financial oversight and strengthening transparency across the state’s 30 local government areas and area councils.

In a statement issued by Olamide Tiamiyu, Chief Press Secretary to Speaker Adewale Egbedun, the legislation was described as a major step toward safeguarding public funds and enforcing accountability at the grassroots level.

According to the Assembly, the bill was crafted in line with Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers state legislatures to regulate local government finances.

The legislation introduces significant changes to how local government accounts will be managed.
Under the new structure, only Directors of Finance and Directors of Administration and General Services will be authorised to serve as signatories to local government accounts.

The bill explicitly bars elected officials and political appointees from signing or controlling these accounts — a reform widely interpreted as an effort to block political meddling and curb the misuse of council funds.

After the bill’s passage, Speaker Egbedun directed that a clean copy be forwarded to Governor Ademola Adeleke for assent.

Once signed into law, the measure is expected to reinforce financial discipline, bolster institutional integrity, and improve service delivery across local government administrations in Osun State.