The Osun Masterminds (TOM) has condemned the prolonged closure of local government secretariats in Osun State, warning that the collapse of grassroots governance threatens democratic principles.
Speaking at a press conference in Osogbo, TOM Executive Director, Prof. Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli, said the July edition of the State of the State Address was necessary due to mounting concerns over governance failures.
According to him, Osun State is facing a troubling phase where both state and local governance have become a circus of unserious political actors.
The group described the situation as shameful, pointing out that essential local services such as healthcare, sanitation, agriculture, and revenue generation have been paralyzed.
The Osun Masterminds expressed regret that the crisis has been reduced to constant verbal exchanges between the ruling PDP and the opposition APC in the state.
They warned that Osun is not a banana republic, and such critical governance matters cannot be resolved through press statements and partisan sentiments.
TOM insisted that while the parties continue to bicker, local government operations remain crippled, further deepening hardship for the people.
On security, the group reacted to the recent killing of an Amotekun officer, describing it as a tragic and barbaric incident.
They offered condolences to the family of the deceased but reminded the public that concerns about Amotekun’s operations had long been raised.
The Osun Masterminds noted that there have been numerous citizen complaints about abuse of power and overreach by Amotekun operatives.
They called on the leadership of Amotekun to retrain officers and ensure strict adherence to their legal mandate, warning that poor leadership would be held accountable.
TOM criticized the growing neglect of governance in favour of politics, warning that the people must not be made to suffer as the state heads toward the 2026 governorship election.
The group observed that government officials have shifted their focus entirely to political calculations ahead of the next election, instead of delivering public service for which they were appointed and are being paid.
They emphasized that regardless of electoral ambitions, the administration must govern effectively until its last day in office and not abandon its responsibilities for political gain.