Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has once again appealed to the Federal Government to release local government allocations withheld from the state. He called on authorities in Abuja to follow the advice of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and other stakeholders who have described the withholding of funds as unconstitutional.
In a statement on Wednesday, Adeleke commended the NBA, the Osun Council of Obas, and civic groups for supporting the rule of law.
“Our position on the local government crisis has been validated on all fronts,” he said. “I appreciate the NBA leadership for establishing a committee to review the matter and courageously publishing its report, which confirmed that there is no legal basis for the continued withholding of Osun’s allocations.”
The governor welcomed the NBA’s clarification that his administration was not responsible for the removal of All Progressives Congress (APC) council chairmen in 2022, noting that the decision came from the court.
He emphasised that the February 22, 2025 elections, which produced 30 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) council chairmen and their councillors, were conducted in accordance with judicial pronouncements and have been recognised by the Court of Appeal.
“By law, the PDP-elected chairmen and councillors are the legitimate leaders of Osun local governments. Therefore, there is no constitutional justification for withholding these funds,” Adeleke added.
He also thanked prominent legal experts, including Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), as well as traditional rulers and other advocates of justice, for their support.
In a letter to Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the NBA described the continued withholding of Osun’s allocations as “unconstitutional, unlawful, and a dangerous affront to the rule of law.”
Signed by NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN) and General Secretary Mobolaji Ojibara, the letter stated that the President lacked the power to suspend or withhold local government funds, citing the Supreme Court’s judgment in Attorney General of Lagos State v. Attorney General of the Federation (2004).
The APC criticised the NBA’s intervention, describing it as unnecessary and misleading. In a statement signed by its chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, the party argued that the NBA lacked legal standing to interpret or review court judgments, warning that its comments could mislead the public.
During the grand finale of the Isese Day Festival in Osogbo, traditionalists performed kolanut divination, which they said indicated victory for the state. Dr. Oluseyi Atanda, President of the Traditional Religion Worshippers Association, urged the government to show gratitude once the funds are released.
