Group Issues Stern Warning to State Government Over Autonomy
The political and legal landscape of Osun State has reached a critical boiling point following a stern warning issued by the World Institute for Peace (WIP) to the state government. The warning centers on the ongoing dispute regarding Local Government (LG) allocations and the autonomy of the third tier of government.
As the struggle for grassroots governance intensifies, this development has sparked a national conversation about the rule of law and the limits of state executive power.
The Core of the Dispute: LG Autonomy and Financial Control
The World Institute for Peace (WIP), through its Executive Director, Lamina Kamiludeen Omotoyosi, has cautioned the Osun State Government against what it describes as “unconstitutional interference” in the administration and finances of local government councils.
The crux of the matter lies in whether the state government has the authority to supervise or withhold funds meant for local councils. According to the WIP, the matter is no longer open for debate, as several judicial rulings—including a landmark judgment by the Supreme Court of Nigeria—have solidified the financial and administrative independence of local governments.
Historical Context: From Dissolution to Reinstatement
To understand the current tension, one must look back to 2022. The crisis began when the Osun State Government dissolved elected local government councils. These councils, primarily led by chairmen and councillors from the All Progressives Congress (APC), challenged their removal in court.
The Court of Appeal Ruling
In February 2025, the Court of Appeal delivered a majority judgment that shifted the tides. The court:
- Set aside the previous Federal High Court decision that validated the removal of the chairmen.
- Ordered the immediate reinstatement of the dissolved councils.
- Affirmed that no state government possesses the constitutional power to dissolve elected local government councils.
The WIP highlighted a key legal nuance: the Allied Peoples Party (APP) was not a party to this appeal. Therefore, any attempt by the state government to rely on cases involving the APP to justify their current stance lacks legal standing.
The Supreme Court’s Final Word
The Supreme Court has been unequivocal in its stance on local government autonomy. The apex court ruled that local governments are a distinct tier of government. Consequently, funds allocated to them from the Federation Account belong exclusively to them. The WIP maintains that the Supreme Court’s recognition of the reinstated chairmen as the lawful occupants of their offices is final and binding.
Allegations of Withheld Allocations
One of the most contentious aspects of this dispute is the status of LG funds. The World Institute for Peace has dismissed claims that local government allocations have not been released.
The group asserts that the Federal Government has indeed disbursed these funds. According to Omotoyosi, any disruption in council activities or lack of access to these funds is a result of “deliberate obstruction” at the state level.
The Impact on Grassroots Development
The warning from the WIP is not just about legal technicalities; it is about the people of Osun State. Local governments are the closest tier of government to the citizens. When their finances are tied up in legal battles and “political gymnastics,” essential services—such as primary healthcare, local infrastructure, and community security—suffer.
The institute warned that continued litigation and public disputes could severely undermine governance at the grassroots level, leaving the most vulnerable citizens to bear the brunt of the political impasse.
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