Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has called for the immediate release of over ₦130 billion in statutory allocations allegedly withheld from the state’s local governments, describing the blockade as a serious threat to grassroots governance and the welfare of workers and residents.
Speaking in a statewide broadcast on Monday, Governor Adeleke condemned the illegal occupation of local government secretariats by court-sacked All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmen and councillors, who he said have unlawfully remained in office for nearly a year despite multiple judgments nullifying their elections.
“The court removed them, not my administration,” Adeleke stressed, noting that fresh local government elections were conducted in compliance with court orders, leading to the swearing-in of duly elected chairmen and councillors on February 23, 2025. He described the current occupants of the secretariats as impostors acting without lawful mandate.
The governor accused former Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola of allegedly supporting the continued occupation with police backing, undermining democracy and the rule of law. He also alleged that local government workers attempting to resume duty were harassed by armed police officers and political thugs.
Highlighting the financial impact, Adeleke revealed that statutory allocations to local governments, totaling about ₦130 billion since February 2025, have not been released to the councils’ legitimate accounts. He said the withheld funds are critical for paying salaries of primary school teachers, nurses, health workers in 332 primary health care centres, council employees, traditional councils, and retirees.
“The state government has had to make painful sacrifices to keep salaries paid for almost 12 months, a situation that is unsustainable,” he said, adding that governance is about humanity, responsibility, and compassion.
Governor Adeleke also accused the United Bank for Africa (UBA) of allowing unauthorised persons to operate local government accounts, with senior bank officials involved reportedly facing criminal prosecution.
Calling for federal intervention, Adeleke appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure the release of withheld funds and to protect democratic institutions, clarifying that the President is not implicated in the alleged illegality.
“There is no provision in our Constitution for tenure elongation,” he said, framing the crisis as a choice between constitutional order and naked impunity. The governor urged Nigerians and democracy advocates to demand an immediate end to the illegal occupation of council secretariats and the release of council funds.
He also called on residents to remain peaceful and law-abiding while assuring them of his administration’s commitment to upholding the Constitution and safeguarding their welfare.
