Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun, has called for the immediate release of more than N130 billion in statutory allocations allegedly withheld from the state’s local government councils, warning that the situation is crippling grassroots governance and worsening hardship for workers and residents.
The governor made the demand on Monday during a statewide broadcast, where he addressed the prolonged occupation of local government secretariats and what he described as a threat to democratic order in the state.
Adeleke said the continued presence of sacked chairmen and councillors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in council offices was illegal, stressing that their removal was effected by court judgments and not by executive action.
He recalled that the Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo nullified their elections in November 2022, a decision later upheld by the Court of Appeal in February and June 2025.
According to him, fresh local government elections were subsequently conducted in line with subsisting court orders, leading to the inauguration of duly elected chairmen and councillors on February 23, 2025.
He described those currently occupying the council secretariats as impostors without lawful authority.
The governor accused his predecessor, former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, of allegedly supporting the continued occupation of the councils with the backing of security operatives, an action he said undermines the rule of law.
He also alleged that local government workers attempting to resume duty were harassed and intimidated by armed police officers and political thugs.
Adeleke said the most damaging consequence of the crisis has been the withholding of statutory allocations due to the councils.
He disclosed that since February 2025, funds amounting to about N130 billion had not been released into the legitimate accounts of Osun local governments.
He explained that the withheld funds were essential for the payment of salaries of primary school teachers, healthcare workers in over 300 primary health centres, council employees, traditional councils and retirees.
The governor said the state government has been forced to make difficult financial sacrifices to keep salaries paid for nearly one year, a situation he described as unsustainable.
The governor also accused a commercial bank, United Bank for Africa, of allegedly allowing unauthorised persons to operate local government accounts, adding that senior officials involved were already facing criminal prosecution.
Appealing for federal intervention, Adeleke called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure the immediate release of the withheld funds and to protect democratic institutions at the local government level.
He insisted that there is no constitutional basis for tenure extension and urged Nigerians to stand against what he described as impunity.
He called on residents to remain peaceful and law-abiding, assuring them of his administration’s commitment to constitutional governance, accountability and the welfare of the people.
