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The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has intensified calls for the Federal Government to release statutory allocations owed.
The caucus demands immediate release of Osun local government funds to local government councils in Osun State, warning that continued inaction could prompt legislative intervention.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the caucus urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that all relevant agencies comply with constitutional provisions and court rulings by disbursing funds that have reportedly been withheld since February 2025.
The caucus, led by Minority Leader Rep. O.K. Chinda and including Rt. Hon. Dr Ali Isa (Minority Whip), Rt. Hon. Aliyu Madaki (Deputy Minority Leader), and Rt. Hon. George Ozodinobi (Deputy Minority Whip), described the prolonged withholding of allocations as a serious threat to grassroots governance. They highlighted the resulting hardship for workers, pensioners, and families, as well as the stalling of development projects across Osun’s councils.
“The withholding of these allocations is not only unconstitutional but also a blatant disregard for the rule of law and judicial pronouncements,” the lawmakers stated in their release titled “Let Osun LGAs Breathe.” “Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution clearly entitles local governments to their allocations from the Federation Account. The Supreme Court has affirmed in A.G. Lagos State vs. A.G. Federation (2004) that the President has no power to suspend or withhold such funds.”
The caucus noted that multiple court rulings – including those of the Court of Appeal on 10 February and 13 June 2025, and the Osun State High Court on 21 February 2025 – had validated the authority of elected officials from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to manage the allocations.
“The continued withholding of these funds undermines local government autonomy, weakens Nigeria’s federal structure, erodes public confidence in democratic institutions, and sets a dangerous precedent for impunity,” the statement added.
Lawmakers further highlighted the economic consequences, saying salaries, pensions, healthcare, education, and infrastructure projects have been stalled, with local economies and small businesses suffering from reduced purchasing power.
Guardian
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