Osun Governor Calls for Release of Withheld LG Funds

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has called for the release of over N250 billion in withheld statutory allocations for the state's 30 local governments. This follows a Supreme Court ruling delivered by Justice Mohammed Idris, which declared the federal government's withholding of these funds unconstitutional, constituting a "grave breach of the 1999 Constitution." The federal government had withheld the allocations after the February 2025 local government elections, which were contested by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Although the court dismissed the state government's suit for initiating it on behalf of the local governments, it affirmed that the federal government was wrong to withhold the funds. Despite the ruling, the APC-led federal government and Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi have not complied with the court's directive.

The allocations are essential for paying salaries of primary school teachers, health workers, local government employees, and improving infrastructure in Osun State.