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Osun PDP Reps Caucus Petitions President Tinubu Over LG Allocation

Published by Akinwale Fakinlede on June 24th, 2025.

In a strongly worded letter addressed to the President, the lawmakers accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration in the state of misappropriating statutory allocations meant for the 30 local government areas and area councils in Osun. The caucus emphasized that such actions undermine the constitutional autonomy of the third tier of government and risk deepening grassroots underdevelopment.

Led by Hon. Bamidele Salawu, spokesperson for the caucus, the lawmakers urged President Tinubu to intervene decisively in the matter. According to them, local governments in Osun have been functioning without democratically elected officials, a situation they claim violates Section 7 of the Nigerian Constitution.

“Osun State has continued to receive federal allocations for its local governments, yet those funds are not being used transparently or channeled toward improving basic services such as primary education, healthcare, and rural infrastructure,” the letter reads in part.

The caucus also expressed frustration over the lack of accountability in the financial management of local governments, alleging that caretaker committees handpicked by the state government have replaced elected local councils. They insist this arrangement has effectively turned LGAs into administrative appendages of the state executive.

The lawmakers called on President Tinubu to direct relevant federal agencies—including the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation—to investigate the disbursement and utilization of local government funds in Osun State since 2023.

They also proposed that federal allocations to local governments be tied to compliance with democratic practices, such as the conduct of free and fair council elections.

Political observers believe the petition may trigger broader scrutiny of how local government allocations are handled nationwide, especially in states under opposition or caretaker regimes. The issue of local government autonomy has been a long-standing concern in Nigeria, with several advocacy groups and civil society organizations calling for constitutional reforms to protect the grassroots tier from state-level interference.

As of press time, there has been no official response from the Presidency or the Osun State Government. However, insiders suggest the petition could ignite legal and political debates around the control of public funds and the federal structure of governance in Nigeria.

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