The crisis over Local Government Administration in Osun State intensified on Wednesday as Governor Ademola Adeleke, the state government and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rejected claims by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that its sacked council chairmen still have a legal right to remain in office.
In separate statements issued in Osogbo, the PDP and the state government said recent court proceedings showed that the APC’s position on the councils lacked legal backing.
Governor Adeleke also restated his accusation against the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, alleging that the former governor was the mastermind of the lingering local government crisis in the state.
He maintained that the self-awarded tenure of the APC council chairmen expired in 2025 and could not be extended under the law and established Supreme Court precedents.
Questions Over Funds, Court Proceedings
In a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the governor faulted Oyetola’s submissions on the crisis, describing him as the chief architect of the paralysis and hardship allegedly being inflicted on residents of the state.
Adeleke queried the authority under which Oyetola and the APC chairmen were allegedly disbursing funds meant for the payment of local government workers’ salaries.
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“Under what authority is Mr Oyetola and his cronies, in the guise of council chairmen, disbursing funds meant for salaries of local government workers? Under what authority is he deciding who gets paid or not? Why are they not paying salaries of local health workers, local teachers and local retirees?” he asked.
The governor also called on the minister to stop dragging the name of President Bola Tinubu into the controversy.
Meanwhile, the Osun State Government drew attention to proceedings at the Federal High Court in Osogbo concerning a suit filed by the APC on council tenure.
The Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, said the case was adjourned to March 4, 2026, following the absence of APC lawyers in court.
According to him, none of the legal representatives listed by the APC, including three Senior Advocates of Nigeria, appeared when the matter was called.
READ ALSO: Osun LG Services Set to Resume Monday after 11-Month Strike
Alimi said the local government election conducted on October 15, 2022, was nullified by the Federal High Court for violating the Electoral Act, adding that no subsequent judgement had reinstated the APC chairmen.
Oyetola’s Aide Fires Back
Reacting, the Special Adviser to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Bolaji Akinola, accused Governor Adeleke of lying against his predecessor over issues relating to the local government impasse.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Akinola said Adeleke was using propaganda and misinformation to conceal administrative failure and disregard for judicial authority.
He dismissed claims that Oyetola was backing illegal occupation of council offices or withholding funds meant for local governments, insisting that any delay in financial disbursement was the responsibility of the Adeleke-led Osun State Government.
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Akinola said the local government secretariats were open and functioning, adding that council administrations were carrying out their statutory responsibilities.
He cited a Court of Appeal judgement delivered on February 10, 2025, which he said reinstated elected local government chairmen in Osun State and was not appealed by the state government, making it final and binding.
On allegations of tenure elongation, he maintained that the APC chairmen were elected for a three-year term and were removed illegally within weeks of assuming office, noting that the tenure issue remained before the courts.
He advised Governor Adeleke to desist from interfering in the affairs of local governments, stressing that the Supreme Court had already granted full financial autonomy to councils across the country.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
