Osun State Accuses Federal Government of Politically Motivated Withholding of LGA Funds

In Osun State, a troubling political drama is unfolding, characterized by what Governor Ademola Adeleke describes as "impunity" and a blatant disregard for the law. For over a year, the federal government, under President Bola Tinubu, has allegedly withheld the monthly federal allocations meant for 30 local government areas (LGAs) in the state. This amounts to a staggering sum of over N150 billion, directly impacting the economic well-being and daily lives of roughly four million Osun residents. The sheer scale of this financial blockade raises serious questions about the motives behind such actions, especially when occurring in the President's home state.

The current situation bears a striking resemblance to a similar episode in 2004, when the federal government under President Olusegun Obasanjo withheld allocations to Lagos State. Despite a Supreme Court ruling in favor of Lagos, the funds remained seized until 2007. This historical parallel suggests a pattern of federal might being used for political leverage, a practice that undermines constitutional governance and the rule of law. The irony is palpable: a situation where the federal government, sworn to uphold the constitution, appears to be in direct violation of its own Supreme Court's directives.

Governor Adeleke's administration views this as a deliberate political maneuver, aimed at destabilizing the state government. The article points out the stark contrast between President Tinubu's current actions and his own stance as governor of Lagos State in 2004, when he championed the creation of additional administrative areas and fought against federal opposition, even securing a Supreme Court victory. This creates a perception of hypocrisy, where actions deemed acceptable for his own political base are now being used to penalize a state governed by a rival party.

This 'reign of impunity,' as the article terms it, is not confined to Osun. A similar scenario is playing out in Edo State, where the governor has reportedly displaced existing LGA chairmen and installed his own party members following a new 'election.' These events collectively paint a concerning picture of how political power is being wielded at the local government level, with federal influence exacerbating the situation. The people of Osun, caught in the crossfire of this political battle, are the ones bearing the brunt of these withheld resources, their livelihoods jeopardized by what appears to be crude and divisive politicking.

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We won’t bow to impunity, we won’t surrender, we will forge ahead because the law, the constitution, the people and God are with us.