The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has called on the Federal Government to release funds allegedly withheld from the state’s local government councils, warning that continued delays are affecting service delivery at the grassroots.

Speaking on Monday, 26 January 2026, Governor Adeleke said more than ₦130 billion in statutory allocations due to the councils had not been released, despite constitutional provisions guaranteeing local governments access to federal revenue.

The governor said the withheld funds had worsened financial pressure on local councils, leading to difficulties in paying salaries, maintaining primary healthcare centres, and funding basic education and sanitation projects.

He urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and relevant federal agencies to intervene, describing the situation as unsustainable for workers and residents who depend on local government services.

Governor Adeleke also argued that withholding the allocations undermines democratic governance at the local level and contradicts ongoing efforts to strengthen fiscal responsibility and accountability across the country.

The Federal Government has not yet responded publicly to the claim. However, disputes over local government funding and financial autonomy have remained a recurring issue between state governments and federal authorities in Nigeria.

The development comes amid wider debates over fiscal federalism, rising living costs and the capacity of sub-national governments to meet their obligations to citizens.

© 2026 Aliu Azeema | TalkAfricang.com