The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has urged President Bola Tinubu to immediately release statutory allocations owed to local governments in Osun State, warning that withholding the funds violates the Constitution and undermines the rule of law.
In a letter dated August 19, 2025, addressed to the Attorney General of the Federation, the NBA stated that there is “no legal justification for the non-release of the allocations” and demanded the “immediate release” of the funds. The letter was signed by NBA President Afam Osigwe and General Secretary Mobolaji Ojibara.
According to the NBA, payments from the Federation Account to Osun’s local governments have been withheld since February 2025, despite constitutional provisions guaranteeing their financial autonomy under Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution.
The Association said its ad-hoc committee on the Osun local government impasse reviewed relevant court judgments, statutes, and constitutional provisions and concluded that withholding the funds “amounts to a violation of the Constitution, a disregard for the Rule of Law, and an affront on clear pronouncements of the Courts.”
The NBA warned that seizing or withholding funds meant for local governments sets a dangerous precedent, undermines public confidence in democratic institutions, and emboldens lawlessness at all levels. Citing the Supreme Court ruling in A.G of Lagos State vs. A.G of Federation (2004), the NBA stressed that the President “has no power to suspend, withhold, or direct the suspension or withholding… of statutory allocations due and payable to the Local Government Councils.”
The Association also addressed legal disputes following the October 2022 Osun local government elections. While the Federal High Court initially nullified APC council officials’ elections, subsequent appeals created a legal impasse. Following fresh elections in February 2025, the NBA stated that “the only valid and legitimate officials who can legally occupy elective offices in the LGAs in Osun State are those of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).”
Criticising the Federal Government’s reported freeze on Osun LGA disbursements, the NBA said the Constitution does not grant the President or Minister of Finance the authority to withhold statutory allocations. The Association added that disputes over allocations should be resolved in the courts, as provided by the Constitution.
To enforce compliance, the NBA directed its National Litigation Committee and Section on Public Interest and Development Law “to urgently engage with relevant stakeholders to ensure adherence to constitutional provisions and court rulings.”
This call comes amid ongoing controversy over the withheld allocations. SaharaReporters reported that President Tinubu ignored appeals from Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke to release the funds. In June, Adeleke met with Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa to discuss the matter, but sources say the President linked the withholding of funds to his earlier decision to remove local government chairmen.
Official records reviewed by SaharaReporters indicate that Osun is owed a total of ₦46.9 billion, with allocations of ₦11.9 billion in March, ₦11.2 billion in April, ₦11.7 billion in May, and ₦12.1 billion in June remaining unpaid.
