Osun State Local Government Funds Diverted for APC by Federal Government Officials

Strategic Insights -

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Musibau Adetunbi, has raised a constitutional alarm over the diversion of local government funds in Osun State by federal government officials for the benefit of the All Progressives Congress (APC). According to Adetunbi, a directive by the Accountant General of the Federation to send statutory allocations to the APC State Secretariat in Osogbo, rather than the official Ministry of Local Governments, is an attempt to subvert the rule of law and exploit the levers of power at the federal level. This development comes amidst a long-standing dispute over the control of local government councils in Osun State between the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Key Takeaways:

  • The Accountant General of the Federation has issued a directive to send statutory allocations meant for Osun State local governments to the APC State Secretariat in Osogbo, instead of the official Ministry of Local Governments.
  • This move is seen as an attempt to divert local government funds for obvious political reasons, with the APC benefiting at the expense of the 30 local government areas in Osun State.
  • Adetunbi argues that this action is unconstitutional and undermines the rule of law, citing the Court of Appeal's judgment on 10th February, 2025, which declared the APC's request for reinstatement of their officials as an "academic exercise."
  • The fate of the 30 local governments in Osun State has been uncertain since February this year, when a deadly tussle for control between the APC and PDP led to the loss of several lives.
  • President Obasanjo's withholding of Lagos' local government funds is cited as a precedent for the current situation, where local government funds are being diverted for partisan gain.

Statistics:

  • 30 local government areas in Osun State are vulnerable to funding diversion.
  • The current dispute over the control of local governments has led to the loss of several lives since February this year.
  • 10th February, 2025, is the date of the Court of Appeal's judgment that declared the APC's request as an "academic exercise."
  • 13th June, 2025, is the date of the second judgment by the Court of Appeal on the same matter.
  • Lagos' local government funds were withheld by President Obasanjo, cited as a precedent for the current situation.

Sources:

  • "Osun APC leader raise alarm over diversion of LG funds, warns against holding state to ransom" by Kadiri Abdulkareem (The Guardian)
  • The Court of Appeal's judgment dated 10th February, 2025, in Appeal No: CA/AK/270/2022.
  • The second judgment by the Court of Appeal dated 13th June, 2025.