A lawyer and human rights activist, Jiti Ogunye, has urged politicians in Osun State to pursue a political settlement over the lingering dispute over local government funds.
“My consistent position has been that courts are not suited to adjudicate essentially political disputes,” Ogunye said on Tuesday on Channels Television The Morning Brief.
He explained that even after judgments, parties often returned to court because they had resources and vested interests.
“Parties will want to re-litigate issues, using state funds and lawyers, which prolongs conflicts,” he added.
READ ALSO: Withholding Osun LG Funds ‘Highly Political’ — Ozekhome
Ogunye recalled that the foundation of the dispute began with questions over the tenure of preceding council chairmen.
The lawyer said attempts at self-help to enforce rulings had catastrophic consequences, including loss of life.
Courts Versus Politics
Ogunye cautioned that although courts could hear the matter, political differences between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun and the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the centre made a negotiated settlement more effective.
He warned against abusing court processes for partisan advantage.
“Political settlement is important,” he insisted, adding that courts were being dragged into “intractable political disputes” disguised as legal battles.
“I don’t think the judiciary should be used as an instrument for political combat,” he said.
Despite the tension, Ogunye dismissed fears of a state of emergency similar to that declared in Rivers State years ago.
APC, PDP Trade Blame
The Osun government insists there is “no legal or political basis” for withholding funds after the February council elections.
A June Court of Appeal judgment affirmed PDP officials as the rightful leaders of the state’s councils.
Despite this, the Attorney-General maintained that Osun failed to provide proper account details and must refund past allocations.
Earlier in August, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mike Ozekhome described the withholding of funds as “highly political.”
He accused Attorney-General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi of recommending disbursement to officials already removed by courts.
He reminded President Bola Tinubu of his own battles as a Lagos governor when federal allocations were withheld and urged the presidency to provide lawful guidance and avoid partisan handling of state allocations.
