Osun State Governor, Senator Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke, has called for the urgent release of over ₦130 billion in statutory allocations allegedly withheld from the state’s local governments, warning that the continued blockade is crippling grassroots governance and causing severe hardship for workers and residents.
In a statewide broadcast on Monday, Adeleke addressed the illegal occupation of local government secretariats and the defense of democratic order. He said that court-sacked All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmen and councillors have unlawfully held council offices for nearly a year, despite rulings by the Federal High Court, Osogbo, in November 2022, and confirmations by the Court of Appeal in February and June 2025 nullifying their elections.
“The court removed them, not my administration,” Adeleke said, stressing that fresh local government elections were conducted 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 any lawful mandate.
Adeleke accused former Governor Gboyega Oyetola of allegedly supporting the continued occupation with police backing, undermining both democracy and the rule of law. He further alleged that local government workers who attempted to resume duties were harassed and intimidated by armed police and political thugs.
The governor revealed that statutory allocations due to Osun local governments, now totaling about ₦130 billion since February 2025, have not been released to the councils’ legal accounts. He emphasized that these funds are essential for paying salaries of primary school teachers, nurses, health workers in 332 primary health care centres, council staff, traditional councils, and retirees.
He noted that the state government has had to make significant financial sacrifices to sustain salaries for almost a year, a situation he described as unsustainable. “Governance is about humanity, responsibility, and compassion, but this burden cannot continue indefinitely,” he said.
Adeleke also accused the United Bank for Africa (UBA) of allowing unauthorized access to local government accounts, adding 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, the governor urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene, ensure the release of the withheld funds, and protect democratic institutions. He clarified that the President was not involved in the alleged illegality.
“There is no provision in our Constitution for tenure elongation,” Adeleke said, framing the crisis as a battle 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.
He also urged residents to remain peaceful and law-abiding, assuring them of his administration’s commitment to upholding the Constitution and safeguarding their welfare.