Tinubu Insists on Rule of Law, Faces Backlash Over Osun LG Funds Withholding — Akelicious

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday declared that his administration “will not submit to noise, rascality, or disobedience to lawful court orders,” insisting the judiciary must be respected “whether it favours us or not.” He made the remark while dismissing the ADC convention as “noise-making” and a “street convention.” However, even as the President preaches

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday declared that his administration “will not submit to noise, rascality, or disobedience to lawful court orders,” insisting the judiciary must be respected “whether it favours us or not.” He made the remark while dismissing the ADC convention as “noise-making” and a “street convention.”

However, even as the President preaches obedience to court orders, the Federal Government continues to withhold statutory allocations meant for Osun State’s 30 local government areas, despite the Supreme Court describing the action as unconstitutional and a “grave breach” of the 1999 Constitution.

The crisis began in March 2025 after fresh elections conducted by Governor Ademola Adeleke produced PDP-aligned chairmen following the nullification of the 2022 APC-era polls. While the state recognizes the new officials, APC-aligned figures still lay claim to the councils, creating a prolonged standoff.

Over ₦130 billion in allocations has since been withheld, crippling grassroots governance. Projects have stalled, allowances remain unpaid, and the state government has been forced to cover basic salaries.

Although the Supreme Court struck out Osun’s suit on technical grounds, it went further to fault the Federal Government, declaring the withholding unconstitutional and insisting funds must go directly to duly elected local governments.

More than four months later, the funds remain withheld. Governor Adeleke has repeatedly appealed to President Tinubu to intervene, maintaining that the continued seizure is illegal and deepening hardship at the grassroots.

The contradiction is difficult to ignore. A President publicly demanding strict obedience to court orders is presiding over a system that continues to act in defiance of a clear Supreme Court position.

For ordinary people at the grassroots, the impact is immediate and real. Projects remain abandoned, local administration struggles to function, and economic pressure continues to build, a reality that stands in sharp contrast to the promise of renewed hope and improved governance.

Concerned Nigerians say this reflects a selective application of the rule of law as political tensions build ahead of upcoming elections.

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