Osun State and Federal Government Engage in Bitter Squabble Over Unpaid Local Government Allocations

Strategic Insights -

The renewal of the bitter fight between Osun State and the Federal Government over unpaid local government allocations has reignited controversy surrounding the conduct of the October 2022 local government election in Osun State. The latest Court of Appeal ruling in Akure has added a new twist to the struggle, with the Osun State government securing a victory in its bid to validate the election. Meanwhile, the Federal Government has maintained that no state has the constitutional authority to control or manage statutory allocations meant for local government councils.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Court of Appeal in Akure has struck out a request by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to relist its appeal against the Federal High Court judgment that nullified the October 2022 local government election.
  • The court condemned APC's misrepresentation of its February 10, 2025 judgment and warned against distorting court decisions for political gain.
  • The justices emphasized that the judiciary should not be treated as an extension of any political organization, stating, "Equity aids the vigilant, and not the indolent."
  • The APC has claimed that the ruling did not annul the results that produced chairmen on their platform, while the People's Democratic Party (PDP) disputes this, saying the ruling had confirmed the nullification of the election.
  • The Federal Government has insisted that no state has the constitutional authority to control, disburse, or manage statutory allocations meant for local government councils.
  • The FG has filed a suit at the Supreme Court seeking to enforce its earlier ruling affirming that only democratically elected local government councils are entitled to receive funds directly from the Federation Account.

Statistics:

  • The October 2022 local government election in Osun State was nullified by the Federal High Court.
  • The Court of Appeal later set aside the ruling, technically reinstating the APC council chairmen and councillors on October 15, 2022.
  • The Osun State government has filed a suit at the Supreme Court seeking the release of allocations in 2025, while the FG has described the case as baseless and misleading.

Sources:

  • "Court of Appeal Strikes Out APC's Request to Relist Appeal Against Osun State Election", _Naija News_, June 13, 2025.
  • "Osun Government, FG Engage in Another Bitter Squabble Over Unpaid Council Funds", _Daily Post_, June 12, 2025.
  • "FG Slams Osun State Government in Supreme Court, Says State has No Authority to Spend LG Allocations", _Premium Times_, June 11, 2025.
  • "Osun State Government Accused of Misleading Public Over Council Election", _The Cable_, June 10, 2025.