Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has called for the immediate release of more than ₦130 billion in statutory allocations allegedly withheld from the state’s local governments, warning that the prolonged action is choking grassroots administration and worsening the suffering of workers and residents.
In a statewide broadcast on Monday addressing the illegal occupation of local government secretariats and what he described as a threat to democratic order, Adeleke said chairmen and councillors of the All Progressives Congress (APC), whose elections were nullified by the courts, have continued to occupy council offices across the state for almost a year.
He recalled that the Federal High Court in Osogbo sacked the officials in November 2022, a decision later upheld by the Court of Appeal in February and June 2025. According to the governor, their continued presence in the secretariats has no legal foundation.
“The court removed them, not my administration,” Adeleke said, adding that his government conducted fresh local government elections in line with existing court rulings. He noted that duly elected chairmen and councillors were sworn in on February 23, 2025, and are the only lawful office holders.
He described those currently occupying the council secretariats as impostors operating without any democratic mandate.
The governor accused former Osun State governor, Gboyega Oyetola, of allegedly supporting the continued occupation with the backing of police operatives, an action he said erodes the rule of law and democratic values. He further alleged that council workers who attempted to resume duties were subjected to harassment and intimidation by armed police officers and political thugs.
A major focus of Adeleke’s address was the non-release of local government allocations. He disclosed that since February 2025, statutory funds meant for Osun local governments—now estimated at about ₦130 billion—have not been paid into the legitimate council accounts.
He explained that the withheld funds are essential for the payment of salaries for primary school teachers, nurses, health workers across 332 primary healthcare centres, council employees, traditional councils, and retirees.
According to the governor, the state government has been forced to make difficult financial adjustments to sustain salary payments for nearly a year, a burden he said cannot be maintained indefinitely.
“Governance is about humanity, responsibility, and compassion, but this burden cannot continue indefinitely,” he said.
Adeleke also accused the United Bank for Africa (UBA) of allegedly permitting unauthorised individuals to operate local government accounts, stating that senior bank officials linked to the matter are already facing criminal prosecution.
He questioned whether similar conduct would be allowed in places such as New York or London, where the bank also operates.
Appealing for federal intervention, the governor called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to facilitate the release of the withheld funds and to defend democratic institutions at the grassroots level.
He stressed that the President was not complicit in the alleged illegality and urged him to intervene to end what he described as an unlawful siege on Osun local governments.
“There is no provision in our Constitution for tenure elongation,” Adeleke said, framing the situation as a clear test between constitutional governance and outright impunity.
He called on Nigerians and advocates of democracy to demand an immediate end to the occupation of council secretariats and the release of all local government funds, while urging residents of Osun to remain peaceful and law-abiding.
The governor assured citizens that his administration remains committed to defending the Constitution and protecting their welfare.
What you should know
The crisis in Osun State centres on a prolonged dispute over local government leadership and access to statutory allocations.
Courts have nullified the elections of certain council officials, yet their continued occupation of council offices has stalled governance and allegedly blocked the release of federal allocations. Governor Adeleke says the withheld funds, now estimated at ₦130 billion, are vital for salaries and essential services at the grassroots.
The situation has drawn calls for federal intervention, with concerns that the standoff threatens constitutional order, workers’ welfare, and local service delivery across the state.
