Adeleke Renews Call for Release of Osun LG Funds as NBA, Traditional Rulers Back State

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has once again pressed the Federal Government to release statutory allocations due to local governments in the state, insisting that continued withholding of the funds is unconstitutional.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Adeleke commended the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Osun Council of Obas, and several civic groups for boldly speaking out on the matter. He particularly praised the NBA for setting up a committee to review the crisis and for declaring that there is no legal basis for the ongoing seizure of Osun’s local government funds.

“We are vindicated on all fronts” the governor said. “I must commend the NBA leadership for their courage and for clarifying that my administration had no role in the removal of the APC council chairmen in 2022. Their sack was ordered by a court of law, not me”.

He stressed that the fresh local government elections held on February 22, 2025, were conducted in line with judicial pronouncements and produced 30 PDP chairmen and their councillors, now recognised by the Court of Appeal. “By law, today, PDP-elected chairmen and councillors are the rightful occupants of Osun’s local government leadership” Adeleke said. “There is no legal or constitutional basis for the withholding of these allocations”.

The governor also thanked traditional rulers and legal icons, including Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), for supporting Osun’s quest for justice. He reiterated his call on Abuja to comply with the Constitution and release the funds.

The NBA, in a strongly worded letter to Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), demanded the immediate release of the allocations, describing their seizure as “unconstitutional, unlawful and a dangerous affront to the rule of law.” Citing the Supreme Court’s 2004 judgment in Attorney General of Lagos State v. Attorney General of the Federation, the NBA noted that the President has no powers to withhold local government funds.

However, the Osun APC faulted the NBA’s intervention, describing it as “needless” and “shameful.” In a statement by its chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, the party argued that the NBA had no legal standing to review or interpret the Court of Appeal’s judgment, warning that its stance could mislead the public.

Meanwhile, at the grand finale of the annual Isese Day Festival in Osogbo, traditionalists offered prayers for the release of the funds. Through kolanut divination, they predicted “victory” for Adeleke’s administration but cautioned that the government must show gratitude once justice is secured.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Culture, Alex Oloke, welcomed the support, declaring that the Adeleke administration would continue to respect all faiths equally.