The Osun State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has strongly refuted allegations that elected local government officials in the state took a secret oath after allegedly collecting money from the government.

The allegation, credited to one Alao Adeolu, reportedly a loyalist of the All Progressives Congress (APC), claimed that the council chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries, and councillors—elected on the platform of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)—were compromised and sworn to an undisclosed oath of allegiance.

Reacting to the allegation, ALGON State Chairman, Otunba Sarafadeen Abiodun Awotunde, in an official statement on Monday, described the claim as “baseless, malicious, and a figment of the imagination of mischief-makers.”

He said the allegations had no foundation in reality and could only have been conceived by those he described as “politically frustrated individuals” attempting to distract the public from the developmental efforts of the PDP-led administration in Osun State.

“For the avoidance of doubt, there was no single elected official of any local government in Osun State that was paid off by His Excellency, Senator Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke, or by the state government.

“Also, no single elected local government official took any oath in the open or in secret at any time,” Awotunde stated.

He stressed that the rumour exists only in the “anal of imagination” of Adeolu and his alleged APC collaborators, describing the narrative as “egocentric, eccentric, and a deliberate distortion of truth.”

The ALGON chairman publicly challenged Adeolu to produce verifiable evidence to substantiate his claims.

“He should present receipts, vouchers of payment, or any credible proof that money exchanged hands. He should also identify the location and provide photographic or video evidence of the so-called oath-taking. Anything short of that will further expose the mischief and political desperation behind this falsehood,” Awotunde said.

Awotunde observed that the APC in Osun State had repeatedly sought to discredit the PDP-led government since losing the confidence of the electorate, adding that the party’s resort to “baseless propaganda” was a reflection of its dwindling relevance.

He emphasised that the duly elected council officials were overwhelmingly endorsed by the people of Osun State, asserting that “no amount of political mischief can overturn the will of the masses backed by the will of God.”

The ALGON chairman reassured residents that local government officials remain focused on service delivery and grassroots development.

“Our mandate is to work for the people of our various local government areas, and nothing will distract us from delivering the dividends of democracy. We are united in our support for the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke and committed to the progress of Osun State,” he affirmed.

Awotunde also urged residents to be vigilant and to disregard “rumours manufactured by enemies of peace and development,” adding that such acts only serve to sow unnecessary tension in the state.

The statement concluded with a firm reiteration of ALGON’s loyalty to the state government and its resolve to continue prioritising the interests of the people above political distractions.