Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has accused the Federal Government of deliberately withholding statutory local government allocations belonging to the state for political reasons.
Adeleke alleged that the state was being targeted because his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is not aligned with the ruling party at the federal level.
Speaking through his deputy, Prince Kola Adeusi, at the South-West Summit on Democracy and Federalism held in Ondo State, the governor described Osun as “a case study on how a sub-national should not be treated in a democracy.”
Adeleke said, “There is an ongoing wilful breach of the constitution to deprive a sub-national of its rights simply because it does not belong to the ruling party at the centre.”
He accused the Federal Government of weaponising power to frustrate his administration, adding that federal allocations meant for local governments in Osun were allegedly seized without a court order earlier this year.
“Our local government funds were withheld without any judicial backing. Elected officials were also prevented from assuming office. This is not democracy. This is political intimidation,” he said.
According to him, several attempts to collaborate with federal agencies on key development projects have been frustrated due to partisan interests.
Adeleke claimed that federal road rehabilitation efforts and revival of abandoned projects in Osun were blocked by powerful interests in Abuja.
“We have written, engaged and followed due process. Yet, partisan actors have chosen to route federal projects through party structures instead of the constitutionally recognised state government apparatus,” he lamented.
He also accused security agencies of taking sides, alleging that some top federal party figures in the state openly boast of using security operatives to intimidate state officials and manipulate political structures.
“In Osun today, federal party officials boast of deploying security forces to witch-hunt state officials. Worse still, they enjoy protection when issuing such provocative statements,” he added.
Despite the alleged federal hostility, Adeleke said his administration has recorded strides in education, health and debt management.
He stated that Osun had reduced its debt profile by more than 40 per cent, moved from 33rd to 7th position in national examination rankings, and now leads the South-West region in primary healthcare access.
Calling for regional unity beyond party sentiments, Adeleke urged South-West states to push for a regional cargo rail, establish dry ports and strengthen the Amotekun security network.
“We must rise above political divisions and prioritise development. No region develops when federal power is used as a weapon against fellow federating units,” he said.
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