By Managing Editor
The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of allegedly misleading the public over the non-payment of federal government allocations to local government councils in the state.
In a press statement issued on Sunday, January 26, 2026, and signed by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Mogaji Kola Olabisi, the opposition party faulted the governor’s recent statewide broadcast, in which he accused the Federal Government, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, of being responsible for what he described as the continued withholding of local government funds.
The APC dismissed the claims as “falsehood,” insisting that no federal authority is withholding council allocations in Osun State.
Dispute Over Court Judgments
The party maintained that its local government chairmen and councillors have legal backing to operate, citing a February 10, 2025 judgment of the Court of Appeal.
However, the interpretation of that ruling remains strongly contested.
While the APC insists the judgment supports its claim to council leadership, the Osun State Government has repeatedly argued that the appellate court did not issue any express reinstatement order and that the judgment did not restore any sacked officials to office.
The disagreement over the scope and effect of the ruling has since fueled multiple legal battles and administrative disputes across the state’s local governments.
Ongoing Court Actions and Allocation Disputes
In its statement, the APC further alleged that the Adeleke administration and its officials are involved in several court cases aimed at preventing commercial banks from releasing local government allocations to council accounts.
According to the party, these legal actions — rather than federal interference — are responsible for the delay in fund disbursement and have caused governance challenges at the grassroots level.
The Osun State Government, on its part, has previously said its actions were necessary to prevent breakdown of law and order and to ensure compliance with court processes amid competing claims to local government authority.
Supreme Court Ruling on Local Government Autonomy
The APC also referenced the Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to local governments nationwide, arguing that the ruling limits the role of state governments in the administration of council finances.
The party accused Governor Adeleke of interfering in matters it believes now fall exclusively within the jurisdiction of local government authorities.
Allegation Over Political Violence
In the statement, the APC recalled the killing of Hon. Remi Abass, chairman of Irewole Local Government Area, alleging that the incident occurred during heightened political tensions in the state.
The party accused the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of involvement, though investigations into the killing remain the responsibility of security agencies and no court has formally established liability.
Call for Withdrawal of Court Cases
The APC appealed to Governor Adeleke to withdraw what it described as “frivolous” court actions to allow the release of local government allocations and restore stability across council areas.
The party also urged residents of Osun State to remain peaceful while legal processes continue.
As of the time of filing this report, the Osun State Government had not issued a fresh response to the APC’s latest statement.
Newspot Nigeria will continue to monitor developments surrounding the Osun local government crisis and provide verified, fact-based updates as the legal and political processes unfold.
🔍 FACT-CHECK CLARIFICATION (Editorial Note)
• A Court of Appeal judgment was delivered on February 10, 2025 concerning the Osun local government dispute.
• There is no universally accepted interpretation that the ruling expressly reinstated APC chairmen.
• The Osun State Government disputes the reinstatement claim, stating the judgment did not restore any officials.
• The disagreement remains subject to further judicial interpretation and enforcement proceedings.
• Claims relating to allocation blockage and political violence are positions of the APC, not judicial findings.
— Newspot Nigeria
