Osun State Governor, Senator Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke, has demanded the immediate release of more than ₦130 billion in statutory allocations allegedly withheld from the state’s local governments, warning that the blockade is crippling grassroots administration and causing hardship for workers and residents. In a statewide broadcast on Monday, addressing the illegal occupation of local government secretariats and the need to defend democratic order, Adeleke said court-sacked All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmen and councillors have occupied council offices across the state for nearly a year, despite Federal High Court, Osogbo, rulings in November 2022 and confirmations by the Court of Appeal in February and June 2025 that nullified their elections. “The court removed them, not my administration,” the governor stressed, noting that fresh local government elections were held in compliance with court directives, leading to the swearing-in of duly elected chairmen and councillors on February 23, 2025. He described the current occupants of the secretariats as imposters acting without lawful authority. Adeleke accused former Governor Gboyega Oyetola of allegedly supporting the illegal occupation with police backing, a move he said undermines democracy and the rule of law. He also alleged that local government workers who attempted to resume duties were harassed and intimidated by armed police and political thugs. The governor highlighted that statutory allocations due to Osun local governments, now totaling about ₦130 billion since February 2025, have not been released to the councils’ official accounts. He said these funds are critical for paying salaries of primary school teachers, nurses, health workers in 332 primary health care centres, council staff, traditional councils, and retirees. He added that the state government has had to make significant financial sacrifices to sustain salaries for nearly a year, describing the situation as unsustainable. “Governance is about humanity, responsibility, and compassion, but this burden cannot continue indefinitely,” Adeleke said. The governor also accused the United Bank for Africa (UBA) of permitting unauthorized access to local government accounts, noting that senior bank officials involved are facing criminal prosecution. He questioned whether such actions would be tolerated in cities like New York or London, where the bank operates. Appealing to the federal government, Adeleke urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure the release of the withheld funds and protect democratic institutions, emphasizing that the President is not involved in the alleged illegality. “There is no provision in our Constitution for tenure elongation,” he said, framing the crisis as a fight between constitutional order and impunity. He called on Nigerians and democracy advocates to demand an immediate end to the occupation of local government secretariats and the release of council funds. The governor also urged residents to remain peaceful and law-abiding, assuring them of his administration’s commitment to upholding the Constitution and safeguarding their welfare.
