Adeleke to FG: Release Osun LG funds immediately

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has urged the Federal Government to release the state’s withheld local government allocations without further delay. In a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke commended the Osun State Council of Obas, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and other groups for intervening in the crisis, describing their stance as […]

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has urged the Federal Government to release the state’s withheld local government allocations without further delay.

In a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke commended the Osun State Council of Obas, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and other groups for intervening in the crisis, describing their stance as a vindication of his government’s position.

He hailed the NBA for investigating the matter and issuing a report affirming that there was no legal basis for withholding Osun’s funds. 

Adeleke stressed that it was the courts, not his administration, that sacked APC council chairmen in 2022.  He added that the February 22, 2025, local government elections, which produced PDP officials, were conducted in compliance with a court order and affirmed by the Court of Appeal. 

“There is no legal or constitutional basis for the continued withholding of Osun LG allocations. The rightful occupants of the councils are those elected in February 2025,” Adeleke said. 

The NBA had earlier written to the Attorney General of the Federation, condemning the seizure of Osun’s funds as unconstitutional and unlawful. 

The association cited the Supreme Court’s decision in AG Lagos v. AG Federation (2004), which bars the President from suspending local government allocations. 

It warned that withholding council funds undermines the rule of law and sets a dangerous precedent.

The crisis stems from controversial local government elections held under former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola in 2022, which courts later nullified. 

Fresh elections conducted in February 2025 saw PDP candidates declared winners.