Traditional rulers in Osun State say they are facing severe financial hardship following the continued seizure of local government allocations by the Federal Government.
By law, monarchs in each local government area are entitled to five percent of LG allocations for palace administration and general upkeep. However, since March 2025, monthly allocations have been withheld due to a lingering political dispute between the PDP-led state government and the APC, which insists its sacked chairmen remain valid based on a court ruling.
Although Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration had managed to cover the obas’ entitlements for some months, payments reportedly stopped three months ago, leaving palace staff unpaid and monarchs unable to meet basic expenses.
“The palaces are grounded. Workers haven’t received salaries in three months, and many obas can’t even fuel their vehicles,” a palace worker told Saturday Tribune.
At a meeting on July 3, the traditional rulers resolved to send a delegation to President Bola Tinubu to seek a political solution. However, some monarchs are said to be reluctant to lead the delegation for fear of being tagged anti-APC.
During the recent Osun Osogbo Festival, the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, voiced the frustration of his colleagues. He urged Tinubu to release Osun’s funds, warning that the issue could affect political goodwill ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The Federal Government needs Osun’s votes in 2027. Tinubu should release our money,” he said.
