The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke has accused the Federal Government of withholding local government funds belonging to the state despite a subsisting court order.
Adeleke accused the government of seizing Osun State federal allocation and enabling partisan interference in state and local governance.
The governor shared his grievances on Thursday during a two-day South-West stakeholders’ dialogue organised by the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria Commission in Akure, Ondo State.
He lamented that the action was a clear violation of democratic norms and intergovernmental fairness.
The event, with the theme “Strengthening Democracy Through Dialogue: Assessing Progress, Charting the Future,” was attended by political leaders and policymakers from across the South-West.
Represented by his deputy, Kola Adewusi, Adeleke said, “A troubling dimension was introduced earlier this year when the rule of law was replaced with the rule of the thumb.
“In Osun, federal power is being applied outside the regulation of the constitution. Politicisation of federal power poses serious threats to peaceful and productive intergovernmental relations.”
The governor claimed that some security agencies were being used to shield political operatives of the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state, while elected local government officials had been denied access to their offices.
“As if that is not enough, Osun local government funds were seized without any court order. Duly elected officials were not allowed to assume office, while those sacked by a subsisting court order were forced back by federal power and security apparatus,” he alleged.
Adeleke further accused the Tinubu-led administration of marginalising Osun State in federal dealings despite being part of the South-West region.
“Our olive branch to enhance collaboration is clouded by political partisanship promoted by operatives of the ruling political party at the centre. Partisan consideration has become the yardstick for federal interactions with Osun, a development that threatens intergovernmental harmony,” he added.
© 2025 Naijaonpoint, a division of NOP Media Inc. Contact us via [email protected]