Osun LG Funds Controversy Deepens As Group Demands Accountability of Over N200bn From Adeleke

The Forum of Local Government Vice Chairmen has challenged Governor Ademola Adeleke to publicly account for local government funds received by Osun State between late 2023 and January 2025, alleging that despite massive allocations, many councils have little to show on the ground.

The group made the call in a statement issued on Friday in Osogbo and signed by its Chairman, Victor Fatoki, a copy of which was made available to journalists.

According to the association, the Adeleke administration allegedly received over ₦200 billion in local government allocations within the period under review, but visible development across several councils does not reflect such inflows.

“We are calling on Governor Ademola Adeleke to demonstrate transparency by accounting for the funds accrued to Osun local governments between December 2022 and January 2025,” Onifade said. “The figures available to us show that over ₦200 billion was received, yet most local governments have little or nothing to justify these allocations.”

The forum cited Atakunmosa East, Ila, Ifedayo, Boluwaduro and Obokun local government areas as examples, claiming that despite receiving more than ₦8 billion each within the period, residents continue to grapple with poor infrastructure and limited public services.

“If you visit Atakunmosa East, Ila, Ifedayo, Boluwaduro or Obokun today, you will struggle to identify projects or interventions that justify the billions reportedly allocated to them,” Fatoki said.

“This raises serious questions about financial management and governance at the grassroots.”

The LG vice Chairmen also faulted what it described as the governor’s aggressive public campaign over local government funds frozen in banks for 11 months, accusing the administration of prioritising rhetoric over accountability.

“We are amazed by the governor’s zeal in demanding the release of allocations he claims were held by the federal government for 11 months, while showing little enthusiasm in accounting for the over ₦200 billion already received between 2023 and 2024,” the statement added.

The association urged the governor to first demonstrate prudence and transparency in handling previous allocations before engaging in what it called “media propaganda” over withheld funds.

“Transparency builds trust,” Fatoki said. “Before blaming external forces, the governor should show the Osun people clearly how past local government funds were spent.”

The demand comes amid an ongoing dispute between the Osun State Government and opposition-aligned local government officials over the control and release of council funds.

The controversy intensified in 2025 following court rulings on the status of elected council executives, leading to prolonged closures, skeletal services, and public protests across parts of the state.

Governor Adeleke has repeatedly accused political opponents and federal actors of deliberately withholding local government allocations to frustrate governance at the grassroots.

However, civil society groups and critics have increasingly questioned how funds already received by the state were utilised during periods when councils were run by Caretaker Chairmen.

The local government area vice Chairmen said its latest call was aimed at preventing a repeat of past tensions linked to local government administration.

“This is not about politics,” the group insisted. “It is about accountability, transparency, and ensuring that public funds truly benefit the people at the grassroots.”

As pressure mounts, observers say the controversy over local government finances may remain a defining issue in Osun’s political discourse in the months ahead.