Adeleke accuses FG of partisan marginalisation, decries ‘wilful breach’ of constitution
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State on Thursday accused the Federal Government of using state power for partisan purposes, alleging deliberate marginalisation of his administration because it belongs to a different political party from the one in power at the centre.
Speaking through his deputy, Kola Adeusi, at the Southwest Summit on Democracy and Federalism organised by Afenifere and the DAWN Commission in Akure, Ondo State, Adeleke said Osun had become “a case study in how not to treat a sub-national entity in a democratic setting.”
The governor lamented what he described as the wilful breach of the constitution and politicisation of federal power in the state, claiming that Osun had been deprived of its legitimate entitlements despite its commitment to constructive engagement with the Federal Government.
“There is an ongoing wilful breach of the constitution to deprive a sub-national entity of its due rights simply because it does not belong to the same party with the ruling party at the centre.
“Osun provides extensive data on how not to treat a sub-national entity in a truly democratic environment, ” he said.
He explained that since assuming office in 2022, his administration had maintained open communication with federal authorities directing ministries and agencies to respond promptly to all correspondences, participate in national programmes, and host federal events, but had been met with partisanship instead of cooperation.
According to the governor, Osun’s attempts to reconstruct federal roads and revive abandoned projects were frustrated by political operatives at the centre.
“Our olive branch to enhance collaboration is clouded by political partisanship actively promoted by operatives of the ruling political party at the centre.
“Federal projects and initiatives are now being routed through party structures instead of the Osun State Government machinery, ” he said.
Adeleke also accused some federal security agencies of shielding ruling party members who allegedly violate the law, claiming that party officials in the state openly boast about using security forces to intimidate state officials and manipulate political structures.
“In Osun today, federal party officials boast of powers to deploy security apparatus to witch-hunt state officials.
“Worse still, they have security cover when making such provocative declarations, ” he alleged.
He also disclosed that the state’s local government funds were seized earlier in the year without a court order, while duly elected local government officials were prevented from assuming office.
Despite the alleged hostility, the governor said his administration had made measurable progress.
He cited federal data showing Osun’s improved rankings in education, healthcare, debt management, and infrastructure.
Adeleke said the state was currently ranked first in access to primary healthcare in the Southwest, has reduced its debt burden by over 40 per cent, and moved from 33rd to 7th in national examination performance rankings.
He also noted that Osun is rated a model in the school feeding programme and among the top five states in proactive climate governance.
Turning to regional development, Adeleke urged Southwest leaders to prioritise collective progress over partisan divides.
He proposed the establishment of a Southwest Circular Cargo Railway, creation of dry ports, and strengthening of the Amotekun security network as regional initiatives to drive shared prosperity.
“The Southwest must elevate power applications beyond partisan considerations. We must never deploy federal power against ourselves no matter our political differences,” he said.
Adeleke warned against undermining democracy, stressing that respect for the people’s will remains the bedrock of governance.
“We must avoid the temptation to rig elections,” he cautioned.
