Osun Assembly Passes Local Government Accounts Administration Bill 2025, Moves to Curb Political Interference in LG Finances

The Osun State House of Assembly has passed the Osun State Local Government Accounts Administration Bill, 2025. This marks a major step toward reforming how public funds are managed within the state’s 30 local government areas and area offices.

According to a statement issued by Olamide Tiamiyu, Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Hon. Adewale Egbedun, the legislation aims to improve transparency, strengthen financial controls, and promote accountability across all grassroots administrations in the state.

Tiamiyu explained that the bill was crafted in line with Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Constitution empowers state assemblies to regulate the financial operations of local government councils. He noted that the bill is expected to close long standing loopholes that have led to mismanagement, lack of clarity, and political interference in local government spending over the years.

A key highlight of the bill is the restructuring of signatory authority for all local government accounts. Under the new framework, only the Directors of Finance and the Directors of Administration and General Services in each local government area will be permitted to serve as signatories to official accounts.

The legislation clearly bars political office holders and their appointees from acting as signatories. This provision is widely praised by governance advocates. The Assembly believes the measure will ensure that financial decisions at the local government level are handled by career civil servants who are professionally trained and ethically bound to follow due process.

According to the statement, this step is a deliberate move to prevent political manipulation, reduce undue influence, and curtail the misuse of public funds meant for grassroots development.

The Assembly stressed that the new bill is designed to enhance financial oversight within the councils. It ensures better compliance with statutory accounting procedures and encourages prudent use of public resources.

By establishing clear financial guidelines, the legislation seeks to build a more transparent structure that allows citizens to monitor how funds are allocated and used in their communities. This includes basic amenities, rural infrastructure, and essential public services.

Following the passage of the bill, Speaker Adewale Egbedun announced that a clean copy will be prepared and sent to the Governor for assent. Once signed into law, the reforms are expected to bring about greater fiscal discipline and institutional integrity within Osun State’s local government system.

The Speaker expressed confidence that the new law will improve service delivery and strengthen public trust in local institutions by ensuring that financial decisions are protected from unnecessary political pressure.

With the bill now awaiting executive approval, stakeholders across the state are hopeful that the reforms will usher in a new era of accountability and responsible leadership at the grassroots level.