Ademola Adeleke, governor of Osun, has accused the federalgovernment of marginalising his administration for political reasons. Osun and the FG have been embroiled in an ongoing disputeover the allocation and control of the local government funds. The conflict centres on the federal government’s allegedwithholding of funds meant for Osun LGAs, which the state says hassignificantly affected their operations and service delivery. Represented by Kola Adeusi, his deputy, at the two-daysouthwest summit on democracy and federalism in Ondo, Adeleke alleged thatfederal power is being used to undermine his government because it belongs to adifferent party from the ruling party at the centre. The governor described Osun as a “case study in how not totreat a sub-national entity in a democratic setting”. He lamented the “wilful breach of the constitution” and the“politicisation of federal power” against Osun, saying the state has beendenied its rightful entitlements despite efforts to engage constructively withthe federal government. “There is an ongoing wilful breach of the constitution todeprive a sub-national entity of its due rights simply because it does notbelong to the same party with the ruling party at the centre,” Adeleke said. Since assuming office in 2022, Adeleke said hisadministration has maintained open communication with federal ministries andagencies, ensuring prompt responses to federal correspondences, participationin national programmes, and hosting of federal events. However, he alleged that partisan interests haveovershadowed cooperation, with federal projects and initiatives being routedthrough party structures rather than the Osun state government machinery. He also accused political figures at the centre offrustrating efforts to reconstruct federal roads and revive abandoned federalprojects in the state. Adeleke accused federal security agencies of shieldingruling party members even when they break the law, alleging that some partyofficials boast of using security forces to intimidate state officials andhijack political structures. He also claimed that LGA funds were seized earlier this yearwithout court orders and that elected officials were prevented from takingoffice. “In Osun today, federal party officials boast of powers todeploy security apparatus to witch-hunt state officials,” Adeleke said. “Worst still, they have security cover when making suchprovocative declarations.” Despite these challenges, Adeleke said Osun has improved ineducation, health, debt management, and infrastructure. He said the state leads the south-west in access to primaryhealthcare, reduced its debt by over 40 percent, and rose from 33rd to seventhin national examination rankings. On regional development, Adeleke urged south-west leaders torise above partisan politics and prioritise collective progress. He called for the creation of a South-West Circular Cargorailway, establishment of dry ports, and strengthening of Amotekun as aregional security network. “The south-west must elevate power applications beyondpartisan considerations. We must never deploy federal power against ourselvesno matter our political differences,” he said.
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