PDP South-West Vice Chair accuses FG of withholding Osun LG allocations

The Vice Chairman (South-West) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Barrister Kamorudeen Ajisafe, has criticised the Federal Government over the continued withholding of local government allocations meant for councils in Osun State.

Ajisafe, who spoke over the weekend, accused the Federal Government of depriving the people of Osun of their constitutional rights to funds and welfare for political reasons.

He commended Governor Ademola Adeleke for what he described as prudent management of the state’s finances despite the prolonged absence of statutory local government allocations.

“Ademola Adeleke of Osun has openly backed President Bola Tinubu’s second term. Yet this same President is the one holding back Osun State’s local government funds. Let us see how this plays out,” Ajisafe remarked.

“The people of Osun are not ignorant. If not for the Adeleke family’s moral and financial strength, and the governor’s firm commitment to good governance, the state could not have survived this blockade.

“If Nigeria were the kind of nation we expect it to be, nobody would have been allowed to seize LG funds. What is happening is a denial of basic rights to welfare and financial support, purely because of politics. That is an injustice against humanity,” he added.

Responding to questions on Governor Adeleke’s endorsement of President Tinubu for a second term despite the ongoing impasse, Ajisafe said he would not criticise the governor for his decision.

“It is clear that Governor Adeleke has good intentions for the people, even though those in power are not reciprocating. Years ago, Lagos State also suffered a similar withholding of its local government funds, but the state eventually recovered them.

“Today, the Lagos governor at the time is now Nigeria’s President. We do not need to turn to the Bible or Quran to preach fairness. Let us leave the matter in the hands of God Almighty,” he stated.