Governor warns crippled grassroots governance in Osun is “unsustainable,” appeals to Tinubu for federal intervention
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has declared a full-scale crisis in the state’s local government system, accusing sacked APC council officials of an illegal year-long occupation of secretariats and demanding the immediate release of over ₦130 billion in statutory allocations he claims are being withheld from the councils.
In a fiery statewide broadcast on Tuesday, Governor Adeleke framed the escalating standoff as a battle between constitutional order and “naked impunity,” warning that the blockade has crippled grassroots administration and inflicted severe hardship on workers and residents.
At the heart of the dispute is the legal status of local government leadership. Adeleke asserted that court-sacked All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmen and councillors have unlawfully occupied the 30 council offices for nearly a year, despite judgments from the Federal High Court, Osogbo, in November 2022 and subsequent affirmations by the Court of Appeal in February and June 2025, which nullified their elections.
“The court removed them, not my administration,” Adeleke stated, emphasising that fresh local government elections were held in compliance with court orders, leading to the swearing-in of newly elected officials on February 23, 2025. He labelled the current secretariat occupants as “imposters acting without any lawful mandate.”
The governor launched a direct accusation against his predecessor and political rival, former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, alleging he is backing the continued occupation with police support—a move Adeleke said undermines democracy. He claimed local government workers attempting to resume duty have been harassed by armed police officers and political thugs.
The financial impact of the crisis is staggering. Adeleke disclosed that since February 2025, statutory allocations due to Osun’s local governments—now totalling approximately ₦130 billion—have not been released to the legally recognised council accounts. He stated these funds are critical for paying salaries of primary school teachers, nurses, health workers across 332 primary healthcare centres, council staff, traditional councils, and retirees.
“Governance is about humanity, responsibility, and compassion, but this burden cannot continue indefinitely,” Adeleke said, noting that the state government has made “painful sacrifices” to cover salaries for almost 12 months.
Adeleke further accused the United Bank for Africa (UBA) of allowing unauthorised persons to operate the councils’ accounts, noting that senior bank officials involved are facing criminal prosecution.
Calling for federal intervention, Governor Adeleke appealed directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure the release of the withheld funds and to protect democratic institutions. “There is no provision in our Constitution for tenure elongation,” he declared, urging Nigerians and democracy advocates to demand an immediate end to the council occupation and the release of funds. He assured residents of his administration’s commitment to upholding the constitution while urging them to remain peaceful and law-abiding.
