NBA backs Adeleke, calls continued withholding of allocations unconstitutional
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has renewed his call on the Federal Government to release statutory allocations due to local governments in the state, following interventions by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and other stakeholders who described the continued seizure of funds as unconstitutional.
Reacting to the NBA’s findings, Adeleke praised the association and the Council of Obas for standing up for the rule of law. “We are vindicated on all fronts on our rightful claim regarding the local government crisis,” he said. The governor clarified that his administration was not responsible for the removal of the All Progressives Congress (APC) council chairmen in 2022, noting that the court ordered their removal.
The NBA’s report affirmed that Adeleke’s administration acted in line with judicial pronouncements during the February 2025 elections, which produced 30 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) council chairmen and councillors. The association stressed that the continued withholding of local government allocations is illegal and undermines public confidence in democratic institutions.
Meanwhile, the Osun APC criticized the NBA for intervening, calling it “needless” and beyond the association’s jurisdiction. Despite the political disagreements, traditionalists performing rituals during the Isese Day Festival in Osogbo reportedly predicted victory for Adeleke in the dispute with the Federal Government.
Governor Adeleke reiterated his administration’s commitment to pursuing justice through due process and called on federal authorities to release Osun’s seized allocations in line with the law and constitution.
