Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has accused the federal government of politically marginalizing his administration by withholding local government funds intended for Osun’s local government areas, which according to his has severely hindered the state’s operations and service delivery.
Speaking at the Southwest Summit on Democracy and Federalism in Ondo, where he was represented by his deputy Kola Adeusi, Governor Adeleke alleged that the federal government is deliberately using its power against Osun due to political differences, stressing “wilful breach of the constitution and the politicisation of federal power” targeting his state.
He described Osun as a case study in how not to treat a sub-national entity in a democratic setting, lamenting that despite efforts to maintain open communication and cooperation with federal ministries and agencies, partisan interests have overshadowed constructive engagement.
Adeleke claimed that federal projects and programs are being controlled through political party structures, bypassing the state government machinery. He accused ruling party officials at the center of frustrating attempts to reconstruct federal roads and revive neglected projects within Osun.
Adeleke also charged federal security agencies with shielding certain ruling party members from legal accountability while using state security apparatus to intimidate state officials and hijack local political structures.
Adeleke stated that Osun’s local government funds were seized earlier this year without court orders and that elected officials were prevented from taking office. He states that, federal party officials boast of powers to deploy security apparatus to witch-hunt state officials, under security cover.
Despite these federal challenges, Adeleke outlined the progress of the state’s key sectors such as education, health, debt management, and infrastructure development.
The state leads the southwest in primary healthcare access, has reduced its debt by over 40 percent, and climbed from 33rd to seventh place in national examination rankings.
Adeleke concluded by calling on southwest leaders to rise above partisan politics to ensure unified progress.
The south-west must elevate power applications beyond partisan considerations. We must never deploy federal power against ourselves no matter our political differences
He also advocated for the creation of a South-West Circular Cargo railway, establishment of dry ports, and the strengthening of Amotekun as a regional security network.
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