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An Osun-based civil society organisation, Insight Initiative for Community and Social Development (IICSD), has appealed to the Supreme Court of Nigeria to expedite judgment on the lingering suit between the Attorney-General of Osun State and the Attorney-General of the Federation over the withholding of local government funds.
The suit, marked SC/CV/773/2025, was heard on October 7, 2025, and judgment was reserved. However, more than a month later, the apex court has yet to deliver its verdict.
The organisation said the uncertainty is deepening the leadership crisis at the grassroots.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, IICSD, through its Executive Director, Jare Ismahil Tiamiyu, urged the Supreme Court to consider the far-reaching consequences of the prolonged delay on governance and community development in Osun State.
The group noted that the absence of a definitive ruling has left the third tier of government in disarray, with two rival camps still claiming control of local council administrations across the state.
According to IICSD, more than ₦100 billion in federal allocations released to Osun’s local governments since March 2025 remain largely underutilised due to the dispute, disrupting essential services including primary healthcare, basic education, waste management, and rural infrastructure.
Tiamiyu, who also leads the Osun Open Local Government Project (OsunOpenLG), said the situation is crippling grassroots administration and undermining public trust in local governance.
Tiamiyu said a timely judgment from the Supreme Court would “stabilise the system, unblock the flow of development funds, and reposition Osun’s local governments for effective service delivery.”
The organisation stressed that resolving the crisis is essential to restoring normalcy and safeguarding the welfare of millions of residents who rely on local governments for frontline services.
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