THE Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has called for the immediate release of more than ₦130 billion in statutory allocations allegedly withheld from the state’s local governments, warning that the situation is undermining grassroots administration and worsening hardship for workers and residents.
In a statewide broadcast today addressing the ongoing occupation of local government secretariats, the governor said the funds, which have allegedly not been released since February 2025, were meant for the legally recognised accounts of the councils.
He noted that the prolonged withholding of the allocations has severely affected service delivery at the local level.
Adeleke explained that the crisis stems from the continued occupation of council secretariats by former All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmen and councillors whose elections were nullified by the Federal High Court in Osogbo in November 2022, a decision later upheld by the Court of Appeal in February and June 2025.
He stressed that fresh local government elections were conducted in line with court orders, leading to the inauguration of new chairmen and councillors on February 23, 2025.
Describing the current occupants of the council offices as lacking any legal mandate, the governor accused his predecessor, Gboyega Oyetola, of allegedly supporting the occupation with the backing of security agencies, a move he said threatens democratic order and the rule of law.
He also alleged that local government workers attempting to resume duty had faced harassment and intimidation from armed police officers and political thugs.
According to Adeleke, the withheld funds are essential for paying the salaries of primary school teachers, healthcare workers across 332 primary health centres, council staff, traditional council workers, and retirees.
He said the state government has had to make difficult financial sacrifices to sustain salary payments for nearly a year, a situation he described as unsustainable.
The governor further accused United Bank for Africa (UBA) of allegedly allowing unauthorised individuals to operate local government accounts, adding that senior officials involved are already facing criminal prosecution.
He questioned whether such practices would be tolerated in other jurisdictions where the bank operates.
Appealing for federal intervention, Adeleke urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure the release of the withheld funds and safeguard democratic institutions.
He maintained that the President was not complicit in the alleged actions and called on him to intervene to end what he described as an unlawful siege of Osun’s local governments.
The governor also appealed to Nigerians and pro-democracy groups to demand the restoration of constitutional order, insisting that there is no provision in the Constitution for tenure extension.
He urged residents of the state to remain peaceful, assuring them of his administration’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting their welfare.