By John Dike, Osogbo
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has refuted claims by the state government that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is withholding allocations meant for local government councils in the state.
In a statement issued by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Mogaji Kola Olabisi, the APC described the allegation credited to the state Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi as “misleading and untrue.”
It said the delay in disbursing local government funds has nothing to do with President Tinubu or any federal agency, but is a result of a judicial decision made by the Court of Appeal on February 10, 2025.
The judgment, the APC stated, reinstated the elected APC local government chairmen and councillors who were removed by the Adeleke administration.
It said, “The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is merely complying with the rule of law by ensuring that allocations go to the legitimate local government authorities as recognized by the court,” the statement read.
“The court’s ruling has not been appealed, which confirms its legal standing.”
APC counter alleged that Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration has not only failed to acknowledge this legal reality but is actively attempting to prevent the payment of funds to the reinstated council leaders.
The party claimed that the state’s Attorney-General has filed a pending suit at the Federal High Court, asking the court to stop the CBN from releasing the funds.
In addition, the APC criticized the Adeleke-led government over its handling of workers in the state, accusing it of triggering and supporting a six-month-long strike by the state chapter of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), whom it described as partisan and aligned with the PDP government.
The statement also criticised Adeleke’s leadership style, accusing him of prioritizing personal engagements such as planning his nephew’s wedding over governance.
It further alleged that his administration had dismissed over 20,000 OYES corps members, 1,500 teachers, and hundreds of healthcare workers employed by the previous administration without providing replacements.
It claimed that the state government withdrew a case it filed at the Supreme Court on the same local government allocation issue, implying a lack of confidence in their position.
The party also accused Adeleke’s administration of illegally spending N84 billion of LG funds, in defiance of the July 2024 Supreme Court ruling which affirmed the financial autonomy of local governments in Nigeria.
It also criticized what it called Adeleke’s attempt to “intimidate” the judiciary, referencing his failed bid to remove the state’s Chief Judge earlier in the year.
“This administration is not only lawless but disastrous for Osun State,
“If Governor Adeleke can no longer uphold the rule of law or meet the basic obligations of his office, it would be honorable for him to resign,” it said.
