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The Osun State Caucus in the House of Representatives has written an open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, demanding the immediate release of local government allocations withheld from Osun State for over four months.

In the letter jointly signed by eight federal lawmakers representing eight out of the nine constituencies in the state, the caucus condemned the continued withholding of funds meant for the 30 Local Government Areas in Osun, describing it as a violation of the Nigerian Constitution and a threat to the principles of true federalism.

Citing Section 162(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the lawmakers emphasized that allocations standing to the credit of the federation account must be distributed among federal, state, and local governments in accordance with the law. They argued that there was no legal basis for the federal government, through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to withhold funds meant for Osun’s local councils.

The controversy stems from the aftermath of the October 2022 local government elections in Osun State. The elections, conducted by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) under the administration of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, were nullified by two separate rulings of the Federal High Court in November 2022 for breaching constitutional and statutory provisions, including failure to give political parties the 360-day notice required by law.

While the All Progressives Congress (APC) pursued one of the appeals and secured a judgement on jurisdictional grounds, it failed to obtain a reinstatement order for the sacked council chairmen. The second appeal was abandoned and dismissed by the Court of Appeal, which recently, on June 13, 2025, reaffirmed the nullification and criticized the APC for its negligence in pursuing the appeal.

The caucus reminded President Tinubu of his personal experience in 2003-2004 when, as Lagos State Governor, allocations to the state’s local governments were withheld, a situation the Supreme Court ruled against. Quoting the apex court, they stated, “The President has no power vested in him by executive or administrative action to suspend or withhold by any period whatsoever the statutory allocation due and payable.”

The lawmakers further expressed concern over alleged plans by political actors to divert the withheld funds to persons without legal capacity to manage local government finances, describing such intentions as impunity.

They urged the President to direct the Minister of Finance, the CBN Governor, and the Attorney General of the Federation to ensure immediate disbursement of the funds to the appropriate local government accounts through the state’s joint account system, in line with constitutional provisions and court rulings.

The statement concluded with an assurance of the caucus’s continued support for the Tinubu administration and prayers for wisdom, courage, and good health for the President.

The letter was signed by:

Rep. Bamidele Salam (Ede North/Ede South/Egbedore/Ejigbo)

Rep. Ajilesoro Taofeek Abimbola (Ife Central/Ife North/Ife South/Ife East)

Rep. Omirin Emmanuel Olusanya (Atakumosa East/Atakumosa West/Ilesa East/Ilesa West)

Rep. Oladebo Lanre Alomoleye (Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan)

Rep. Adewale Morufu Adebayo (Irepodun/Olorunda/Osogbo/Orolu)

Rep. Mudashiru Lukman Alani (Iwo/Ayedire/Olaoluwa)

Rep. Akanni Clement Ademola (Boluwaduro/Ifedayo/Ila)

Rep. Adetunji Abidemi Olusoji (Odo Otin/Ifelodun/Boripe)