Court orders, not politics, behind Osun LG funding — Oyetola’s Aide

Bolaji Akinola, Special Adviser to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy,  Adegboyega Oyetola, has said that court orders and not political interference are responsible for the current situation surrounding local government funding in Osun State.

Akintola, the minister’s aide, stated on Wednesday that claims by Governor Ademola Adeleke that funds meant for local governments were being withheld for political reasons were misleading and unfounded.

In a statement to the media, Akinola said the issues affecting local government administration in the state stemmed from unresolved legal disputes initiated by the Osun State Government itself, stressing that judicial decisions must be respected.

According to him, any delay or complication in financial disbursements was a direct consequence of the state government’s persistent litigation aimed at overturning settled court rulings on the status of elected local government officials.

“There is nothing political about the situation. The courts have spoken, and their decisions remain binding. Governance cannot function on sentiment or propaganda when judicial authority is clear,” Akinola said.

He dismissed assertions that local government councils in the state were paralysed, stating that council Secretariats were open, workers were at their duty posts, and statutory functions were ongoing.

“The claim that local governments are grounded is inaccurate. Administrative activities are ongoing across the councils, and services are being rendered to residents,” he said.

Akinola referred to a Court of Appeal judgement delivered on February 10, 2025, which reinstated elected local government chairmen in Osun State.

He noted that the judgment was not appealed by the state government, making it final and enforceable.

He argued that continued agitation over the matter amounted to a refusal to accept judicial authority.

On the issue of tenure, the minister’s aide maintained that the reinstated chairmen were elected for a three-year term and were removed shortly after assuming office.

He added that disagreements over tenure were already before the courts and should not be resolved through public rhetoric.

Akinola also cited a Supreme Court ruling of July 11, 2024, which affirmed financial autonomy for local governments across Nigeria and prohibited state governments from dissolving elected councils or imposing caretaker administrations.

“The law is clear. Local governments are an autonomous tier of government, protected by the Constitution and reinforced by judicial pronouncements,” he said.

He further rejected allegations that Minister Oyetola was influencing the Nigeria Police, describing such claims as false and irresponsible.

“The Nigeria Police operate within established institutional frameworks and are not subject to personal control by any minister,” Akinola said.

He stressed that Osun State’s local government administrations remained lawful, functional and protected by binding court judgements, adding that respect for the rule of law  not political accusations was required to resolve the dispute.