Osun LG crisis: Adeleke asks Tinubu to call Oyetola to order

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has renewed his accusation against the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, over the lingering local government crisis in the state, calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and rein in the former governor. Adeleke insisted that the tenure of the All Progressives Congress (APC) local government […]

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has renewed his accusation against the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, over the lingering local government crisis in the state, calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and rein in the former governor.

Adeleke insisted that the tenure of the All Progressives Congress (APC) local government chairmen lapsed in 2025 and could not be extended under the law or Supreme Court precedents.

Reacting to a statement by the minister through his aide, the governor faulted Oyetola’s position on the crisis, accusing him of being the chief architect of the paralysis and hardship being inflicted on the people of Osun.

According to the governor, a Federal High Court sacked the APC chairmen in 2022, a decision later affirmed by the Court of Appeal, which also recognised that duly elected Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmen and councillors had been sworn in.

Adeleke said the court removed the APC chairmen because the local government election conducted under Oyetola violated the Electoral Act, which requires a one-year notice before such polls. He questioned why the election was held shortly after Oyetola lost the 2022 governorship race, insisting that the minister should bear responsibility for the resulting paralysis.

The governor said while the APC chairmen allegedly refused to vacate office despite court rulings and while local government allocations were blocked, his administration continued to ensure payment of salaries to council workers. He questioned why the minister would prefer workers to suffer.

Adeleke described the denial of paralysis in the councils as an insult to traditional rulers, local government workers and retirees whose salaries and allowances had been affected. He questioned the authority under which court-sacked chairmen were disbursing public funds.

The governor warned that those involved in the mishandling of local government funds would be held accountable, describing the situation as a violation of democratic norms and local government autonomy.

He urged Oyetola to stop dragging President Tinubu into the crisis, withdraw tenure-less chairmen from council offices and allow lawful governance to prevail in Osun State.