Amid ongoing tensions over access to local government funds in Osun State, Governor Ademola Adeleke is scheduled to meet with President Bola Tinubu in a bid to resolve the lingering impasse. The dispute centers on allegations that over N130 billion in local government funds has been withheld by the state administration.
According to government sources, the meeting aims to find a political solution to the deadlock. While some members of the All Progressives Congress in Osun reportedly sought to prevent the engagement, the Presidency has approved it, with the meeting expected to take place soon.
The development follows reports that the Chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Tony Elumelu, was recently summoned by President Tinubu to discuss the handling and disbursement of Osun State local government funds held by the bank. The discussions reportedly focused on allegations of mismanagement, unauthorized disbursements, and ongoing court actions restricting access to the funds.
Sources indicate that the Presidency expressed concern over any movement of the funds while legal proceedings are ongoing and reaffirmed that neither of the feuding parties in Osun State can access the money until all pending court matters are resolved.
The meeting also reportedly examined the role of former Osun State governor Gboyega Oyetola in the fund management, after Elumelu cited external pressures as influencing partial disbursements.
Previously, a Magistrate Court in Osogbo barred UBA from releasing or handling local government funds for individuals claiming to be council chairmen under the APC, pending the outcome of criminal proceedings against senior bank officials. The court emphasized the need to protect public funds and maintain strict oversight until the legal matters are fully resolved.
