A fresh war of words has erupted between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) as Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, filed a suit at the Supreme Court against the Federal Government over the alleged seizure of local government allocations belonging to the state.
The legal face-off follows a directive by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), instructing relevant federal authorities to withhold the local government funds for February, March, April, and May 2025. The decision stems from an ongoing political dispute between the Osun State chapters of the APC and PDP regarding the control of local councils.
The controversy dates back to Governor Adeleke’s conduct of local government elections last year, which produced new council officials under the PDP-led government. The APC, however, insists that a court had earlier reinstated its sacked chairmen and councillors — a judgment the PDP allegedly ignored.
As a result of the dispute, the Federal Government decided to withhold allocations to Osun’s local councils, sparking outrage from the ruling party in the state.
In a statement issued by the PDP’s Director of Media, Oladele Bamiji, the party accused the AGF of “gross abuse of office and high-handedness.” Bamiji criticized Fagbemi’s directive, arguing that it represents a dangerous breach of the doctrine of separation of powers.
“This action is not only a clear conflict of interest but an unlawful usurpation of judicial powers,” Bamiji stated.
The Osun APC, in a counter statement released on Monday by its Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, defended the Federal Government’s stance, asserting that the withholding of funds was done in line with the rule of law.
“The same PDP-led government that disrespected the Court of Appeal judgment is now suddenly calling for adherence to the rule of law,” Olabisi said.
In a suit filed on April 23, 2025, through counsel to the Osun State Attorney General, Musibau Adetunbi (SAN), Governor Adeleke is asking the Supreme Court to compel the Federal Government to release the withheld funds. The suit also seeks an order restraining the AGF from further withholding or suspending allocations to the local councils.
As of press time, no date has been fixed for the hearing.
