Osun APC ALGON to Adeleke: FG not withholding council allocation, your frivolous litigations stall projects

The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Osun State, representing council chairmen under the All Progressives Congress (APC), has blamed Governor Ademola Adeleke for delays in executing developmental projects across the state’s local government areas.

In a statement signed by its chairman, Hon. Abiodun Idowu, Osun ALGON accused the state government of “unchecked hypocrisy,” saying Adeleke’s repeated litigations have stalled grassroots development since the reinstatement of council chairmen and councillors by the Court of Appeal on February 10, 2025.

The council chairmen stressed that the Federal Government has consistently released local government allocations, which are paid promptly into the respective councils’ accounts.

ALGON urged Governor Adeleke to accept reality and stop blaming his predecessor, now Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for what it described as his “palpable ineptitude and administrative failings.”

The statement also addressed the governor’s call for local government allocations to be released into joint accounts, noting that such a demand contradicts the Supreme Court’s ruling on local government autonomy.

“Governor Adeleke does not have the executive power to demand the release of council funds. Any elected council chairman’s tenure is constitutionally three years, and the current tenure began on February 10, 2025, following the Court of Appeal reinstatement,” Hon. Abiodun said.

He further explained that the council chairmen had approached the Federal High Court for clarification on their tenure, emphasizing that it remains valid until 2028, as no appeal has been filed to the Supreme Court.

“It is unfortunate that the state government has sought to mislead the public regarding local government allocations. All funds due to councils have been released regularly. Any delay in project execution is the responsibility of Governor Adeleke due to the numerous legal suits he has instituted against council operations,” Hon. Abiodun added.

The ALGON chairman urged the governor to stop implicating Minister Oyetola in local government matters, stressing that the minister’s focus remains on the maritime sector and has no role in local governance issues.

“The councils are independent and capable of handling their affairs legally and professionally,” Hon. Abiodun concluded.