Governor Ademola Adeleke calls for urgent release of over ₦130 billion in withheld local government allocations in Osun, decrying illegal occupation of council secretariats for nearly a year
Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke Sounds Alarm: ₦130 Billion LG Funds Withheld for Nearly a Year – Demands Tinubu’s Immediate Intervention
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has issued a passionate statewide broadcast, urgently calling for the release of over ₦130 billion in statutory allocations allegedly withheld from the state’s local governments since February 2025. He warned that the prolonged blockade, coupled with the illegal occupation of council secretariats, is crippling grassroots governance, delaying salaries, and causing severe hardship for workers, teachers, health personnel, and residents.
In the address on Monday, January 26, 2026, Adeleke blamed the crisis on court-sacked All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmen and councillors who have continued to occupy local government offices despite multiple court rulings nullifying their elections.
“The court removed them, not my administration,” the governor said, explaining that fresh elections were held in compliance with court orders, leading to the swearing-in of new chairmen and councillors on February 23, 2025. He labeled the current occupants as “impostors acting without any lawful mandate.”
Adeleke accused former Governor Gboyega Oyetola of allegedly supporting the occupation with police backing, describing it as an assault on democracy and the rule of law.
He revealed that local government workers attempting to resume duties have faced harassment and intimidation from armed police and political thugs.
The core issue, according to Adeleke, is the non-release of federal statutory allocations totaling about ₦130 billion. These funds are vital for paying salaries of primary school teachers, nurses and health workers in 332 primary health centres, council staff, traditional councils, and retirees.
The governor said his administration has been forced to make “painful sacrifices” to cover salaries for nearly 12 months, calling the situation unsustainable.
“Governance is about humanity, responsibility, and compassion, but this burden cannot continue indefinitely,” he said.
Adeleke also accused United Bank for Africa (UBA) of permitting unauthorised access to local government accounts, noting that senior bank officials are already facing criminal prosecution. He questioned if such practices would be tolerated in global hubs like New York or London.
Directly appealing to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Adeleke insisted the President is not involved in the alleged illegality and urged him to intervene to release the funds and protect democratic institutions.
“There is no provision in our Constitution for tenure elongation,” Adeleke said, framing the standoff as a battle between constitutional order and “naked impunity.”
He called on Nigerians, democracy advocates, and civil society to demand an end to the occupation and the immediate disbursement of council funds.
The governor urged Osun residents to remain peaceful and law-abiding, reaffirming his commitment to upholding the Constitution and prioritizing their welfare.
The broadcast highlights escalating tensions in Osun’s local government crisis, which has persisted since court interventions in 2022–2025, drawing national attention amid broader debates on local autonomy and federal allocations. Read More
