By Ayo Ayodele
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Federal Government of weaponising the freezing of statutory allocations to local governments in Osun State as part of a political strategy ahead of the state’s governorship election.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party described the development as “political terrorism,” alleging that the withholding of funds was aimed at weakening the Osun State Government before the election.
The party said the dispute had gone beyond politics, arguing that ordinary residents were suffering as funds meant for workers’ salaries, primary healthcare, education and other essential grassroots services remained inaccessible.
According to the ADC, the withholding of local government allocations forms part of a broader campaign of intimidation against the opposition. It also alleged that unelected APC loyalists had continued to occupy local government councils in the state while opposition figures were being targeted through arrests and other actions intended to destabilise the state.
“Political opponents are not enemy combatants. Opposition-controlled states are not occupied territories. Public institutions do not belong to whichever party temporarily controls the federal government,” Abdullahi said.
The party further alleged that the Federal Government was using public welfare as leverage in a political contest, warning that the continued withholding of funds was hurting innocent citizens rather than political actors.
The ADC also claimed that armed groups allegedly linked to the APC had intimidated communities across Osun State while security agencies failed to intervene. It further alleged that some police personnel had shielded those responsible for acts of political intimidation.
The party argued that such developments threatened constitutional order and democratic governance, warning that they blurred the line between state institutions and partisan politics.
Calling for urgent intervention, the ADC demanded the immediate release of all statutory allocations due to Osun’s local governments, an end to what it described as federal intimidation of the state, and the restoration of constitutional order to ensure that the people of Osun are free to choose their leaders without interference.