Human rights lawyer, Liborous Oshoma, has criticised the controversy surrounding Governor Ademola Adeleke’s demand for the release of over ₦130 billion in local government funds, describing Nigeria’s governance structure as a “feeding bottle system.” Oshoma made the remarks on Monday during an interview on Prime Time on Arise Television.
Governor Adeleke had accused the Federal Government of withholding statutory allocations meant for Osun State local councils. Reacting, Oshoma argued that the situation exposes the weakness of Nigeria’s federal system, where states and local governments rely heavily on allocations from Abuja instead of generating revenue independently.
He said the concentration of funds at the centre allows political considerations to influence disbursement, especially when states fall out of favour with the Federal Government. Oshoma warned that withholding funds meant for local councils undermines democracy and good governance.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu should direct the Minister of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria to release the funds. He added that continued delays only worsen the hardship faced by ordinary residents of Osun State.
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