Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has intensified his demand for the Federal Government to unfreeze statutory allocations due to local governments in the state, insisting that the continued seizure is unlawful and against the constitution.
His renewed appeal followed a damning report by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), which concluded that Abuja had no legal basis to withhold Osun’s allocations. The NBA, alongside traditional rulers, legal luminaries, and civic groups, has strongly condemned the federal action, describing it as a dangerous affront to the rule of law.
In a statement on Wednesday, Adeleke applauded the NBA for its courage, saying the association’s findings had vindicated his administration.
“We are vindicated on all fronts on our rightful claim on the local government crisis,” Adeleke said. “I must commend the NBA for setting up a committee, investigating, and releasing a bold report which confirmed there is no legal basis for the continuous withholding of Osun LG allocations.”
The NBA also clarified that Adeleke was not responsible for the removal of All Progressives Congress (APC) council chairmen in 2022, as their sack was ordered by a court of law. According to Adeleke, the February 22, 2025 elections conducted in line with judicial pronouncements had produced 30 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmen and councillors, whose mandates were upheld by the Court of Appeal.
“The NBA report has cleared all doubts,” the governor stressed. “By law, PDP elected chairmen and councillors are the rightful occupants of Osun local government leadership. Therefore, there is no legal or constitutional basis for the withholding of Osun LG allocations.”
The governor thanked prominent lawyers such as Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), traditional rulers, and “lovers of justice and democracy” for backing Osun’s position. He vowed to pursue justice strictly through due process and constitutional means.
The NBA, in its letter signed by President Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN) and General Secretary Mobolaji Ojibara, addressed to the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), called the continued withholding of Osun LG allocations “unconstitutional, unlawful and an assault on democracy.” The association cited the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in AG Lagos State v. AG Federation (2004), warning that such acts erode public confidence and embolden lawlessness.
Despite these interventions, the Osun APC rejected the NBA’s stance, accusing the lawyers’ body of meddling in state affairs. Its chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, described the NBA’s move as “needless” and “shameful,” arguing that the association lacked legal standing to comment on the matter.
Meanwhile, traditionalists at the Isese Day Festival in Osogbo offered prayers and kolanut divinations, predicting victory for Adeleke in the tussle. “The first kolanut that was thrown came with isegun (victory),” said Dr. Oluseyi Atanda, President of the Traditional Religion Worshippers Association. He warned, however, that the state government must show gratitude once the funds are released.
Special Adviser on Culture, Alex Oloke, pledged continued support for traditionalists, emphasizing that Adeleke’s government would not elevate one faith above another.
For now, Osun’s fight for its seized local government funds remains unresolved, but with mounting legal and moral support, the state government is pressing harder than ever for Abuja to comply with the constitution.
