Adeleke Accuses Federal Government of Withholding ₦100bn Osun Funds Amid PDP–APC Tensions

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has accused the Federal Government of deliberately withholding nearly ₦100 billion in local government funds, alleging a calculated move to cripple his administration’s ongoing infrastructure projects, including the Ile-Ife flyover and the Ilesa road dualization.

Speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday, Adeleke claimed the funds, which rightfully belong to Osun’s 30 local government councils, were being held back despite a subsisting court order mandating their release. The governor described the act as an attempt to “sabotage the will of the people”, stressing that such interference undermines both state development and the principle of federalism.

The dispute, deeply rooted in the controversial debate over local government autonomy, has dragged through various courts and is now pending before the Supreme Court. Adeleke accused federal authorities of constitutional violations, arguing that while Osun’s funds remain frozen, other states—particularly those governed by the ruling APC—continue to receive full allocations.

“The selective treatment is unjust and politically motivated,” Adeleke stated, emphasizing that his government’s projects are “for the people, not for politics.” He also lamented the strain this has placed on state contractors and workers, warning that the impasse threatens to stall major developmental plans across Osun’s urban and rural areas.

The controversy has spilled onto X (formerly Twitter), where reactions mirror Nigeria’s sharply polarized political landscape. Supporters of Adeleke and the PDP condemned what they called “federal blackmail”, accusing Abuja of weaponizing allocations to punish opposition states. Conversely, critics argue the withheld funds may be tied to Adeleke’s alleged mismanagement and irregularities in local council leadership appointments, citing ongoing administrative disputes within the state.

Analysts note that the Osun case reflects a broader national tension between Nigeria’s federal and state governments over fiscal control and local governance. With the Supreme Court yet to deliver a final verdict, the political and economic ripple effects continue to grow — underscoring the fragile balance of power between the centre and the states in Africa’s largest democracy.

— Busterblog