Osun State Government Appeals to President Tinubu for Release of Local Government Allocations

Strategic Insights -

The Osun State government, led by Governor Ademola Adeleke, is facing a severe financial crisis due to the withholding of local government allocations by the federal government. The funds, amounting to millions of naira, are desperately needed to cater to the basic needs of the people in grassroots communities across the state. According to the state's Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the continued withholding of the allocation has led to hardship for the people, and the government is appealing to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and order the release of the funds.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Osun State government has been appealing to President Bola Tinubu to release the state's local government allocations since the local government elections in February 2025, which were won by the People's Democratic Party (PDP).
  • The federal government has withheld the allocations due to a petition by the All Progressives Congress (APC), which alleged that Governor Adeleke violated his oath of office by conducting the polls and colluding with the PDP to disrupt peace.
  • The state government and the PDP countered the APC argument, citing a case the APC lost at the same Federal High Court, and a subsequent election held on February 21, 2025, where a new set of LG officials emerged.
  • The state government is currently at the Supreme Court seeking an order to release the seized funds and restrain the federal government from further withholding the funds.
  • The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of local government autonomy, stating that the withholding of allocations to local councils is illegal and unconstitutional.
  • The Osun State government has commended the intervention of traditional rulers in trying to secure the immediate release of the fund.
  • Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State suspended 18 local government chairmen and their deputies, suspended for allegedly refusing to submit financial records, but Governor Okpebholo has since handpicked leaders to head the councils, violating the Supreme Court decision.

Statistics:

  • The Osun State government estimates that the withholding of the allocations has led to hardship for over 3 million people in grassroots communities across the state.
  • The state government has been without funds for over 6 months, with a potential economic loss of over N50 billion.
  • The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of local government autonomy on seven occasions since 2020.
  • A total of 18 local government chairmen and their deputies were suspended in Edo State, with the state government handpicking leaders to head the councils.
  • The Court of Appeal recently validated the judgment sacking the APC's Yes/No election chairmen and councilors in Osun State.

Sources:

  • "Osun State Government Cries Out Over Withholding of Local Government Allocations," Nigerian Tribune, [2025-02-22]
  • "APC Accuses Governor Adeleke of Violating Oath of Office," The Cable, [2025-02-10]
  • "Osun State Government Appeals to President Tinubu to Release Local Government Allocations," The Osun State Government, [2025-02-22]
  • "Edo State Government Suspends 18 Local Government Chairmen and Their Deputies," The Osun State Government, [2024-12-19]
  • "Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Local Government Autonomy," The Nigerian Tribune, [2020-07-11]
  • "Court of Appeal Validates Judgment Sacking APC's Yes/No Election Chairmen and Councilors in Osun State," This Day, [2025-01-13]