Osun Council Of Obas Cry Out Over Withheld LG Allocations, Appeal To Tinubu For Urgent Action
Traditional rulers across Osun State, under the aegis of the Osun Council of Obas, have raised the alarm over the continued withholding of Local Government allocations, a situation they say has crippled grassroots administration and worsened the plight of communities across the state.
The monarchs, led by the Permanent Chairman of the council and Arole Oduduwa, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, made the appeal during a press conference held at Ooni’s Palace on Tuesday.
They called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently wade into the matter as a father of the nation.
According to the council, the non-release of the statutory allocations has rendered Local Government secretariats inactive for several months, leaving markets, rural roads, and other essential services to decay.
The rulers stressed that traditional institutions, sustained through a statutory five per cent allocation from Local Government funds, have also been heavily affected.
“As natural leaders and closest to the people, we are pained by the paralysis that has gripped our Local Government system.
“Our concern is not about politics or personal interests but about the survival of communities and the wellbeing of the vulnerable. The continued seizure of these funds has no connection with the ordinary people who are now suffering greatly,” they said.
The Obas lamented that the suspension of allocations has frustrated rural development and stifled community engagement, warning that the consequences of neglecting grassroots governance are dire.
They stressed that without access to funds, traditional rulers are unable to discharge their roles effectively in nation-building and community mobilisation.
The council further urged the President to consider the matter not only as a political or judicial issue but as a question of national stability and community survival.
“It baffles us daily to see our Local Government secretariats inactive while our people wallow in hardship. We cannot keep silent when we see our farmlands, villages and markets suffering because of withheld funds,” they said.
The traditional rulers expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s ability to resolve the crisis, recalling his recent efforts to strengthen the traditional institution by assigning it constitutional roles in rural development and civil engagement.
They noted that releasing the funds would restore hope to Osun communities and energise traditional institutions to complement the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of the Federal Government.
“We implore Mr President to intervene swiftly in the interest of our people. The resolution of this crisis will not only benefit Osun State but will also reaffirm the place of the traditional institution as a vital partner in governance,” the Obas concluded.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
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