The Insight Initiative for Community and Social Development has called on Osun State residents to take an active role in holding their local government leaders accountable, emphasizing the need for greater transparency and civic engagement at the grassroots level.
This charge was made during the first OsunOpenLG stakeholders’ town hall meeting, held on Monday at Benbar Hall in Osogbo.
The event, which brought together key stakeholders, was centered on the importance of community involvement in local governance, particularly in the wake of a recent Supreme Court ruling that allows funds to be directly disbursed to local government chairmen.
Speaking at the event, Executive Director of OsunOpenLG, Jare Tiamiyu, underscored the critical role of civic engagement in ensuring that these funds are used effectively.
“It’s time for us to take charge of our local governance by demanding transparency and accountability from our leaders,” Tiamiyu stated.
He highlighted the decline in development at the local government level and stressed that the solution lies in active participation from citizens, particularly the youth.
“When citizens are involved in monitoring and questioning their leaders about the use of public funds, it creates a culture of accountability that is essential for meaningful development,” he added.
Tiamiyu also pointed out that effective leadership starts with credible elections, which is why the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) was invited to the town hall meeting. “We need to ensure that our elections are free and fair, as this is the foundation for trust in our leadership,” he said.
Hon. Adewumi Adeyemi, a member of the Osun State House of Assembly, also addressed the gathering, encouraging residents to participate in the upcoming local government elections. “Development begins at the grassroots, and for our communities to thrive, we need to be actively involved in the electoral process,” Adeyemi emphasized.
He urged the youth to take a more significant role in local governance, noting that their involvement is crucial for sustainable development.
Representing the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), Chairman Hashim Abioye, through Pastor Bunmi Obiloye, reassured the public of the Commission’s commitment to ensuring a fair and transparent election process. “We are fully prepared to conduct elections that are credible and reflective of the people’s will,” Obiloye stated, urging residents to have confidence in the electoral process.
In addition to electoral integrity, the town hall meeting also focused on financial transparency at the local government level.
Commissioner Hassan Hafiz of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) in Osun emphasized the need for greater scrutiny of local government budgets and expenditures. “The ICPC is committed to removing any opacity in the budget process and will closely monitor how local governments spend public funds,” Hafiz assured. He encouraged citizens to be vigilant and follow the money to ensure it is used for community development.
