A coalition of civil society organizations, The Osun Masterminds (TOM), has expressed deep concern over the continued closure of local government secretariats in Osun State, describing the situation as detrimental to grassroots development and state finances.

Speaking during the group's May State of the State address in Osogbo on Saturday, TOM Executive Director, Prof. Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli, condemned the political impasse between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) that has paralyzed local government administration in the state.

"We regret to continue seeing needless brickbats between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress in the State. We do not live in a banana republic, and such critical issues of governance cannot be resolved with press releases," Oyedokun-Alli stated.

The group emphasized that local governments are crucial for bringing development closer to the people, warning that the ongoing crisis could potentially cripple the finances of the entire state, as Internally Generated Revenue from local governments forms a significant part of the state's income.

TOM also criticized the state government for prioritizing "political correctness" over resolving the crisis, noting that the situation portrays Osun in a negative light among other states.

In a direct message to local government workers, Oyedokun-Alli called for their immediate return to work, describing their continued absence while collecting salaries as "utterly irresponsible."

"While we recognize that the state government is fulfilling her obligations by paying the salary of local government workers in the last few months, it becomes utterly irresponsible of the local government workers to continue to hide under the claim of insecurity while earning salaries for work undone," he said.

Background of the Crisis

The current impasse stems from conflicting claims over the legitimate local government leadership in Osun State. Prior to the February 22, 2025 local government election, the APC claimed that a judgment from the Akure Division of the Appeal Court validated the winners of the October 15, 2022 council poll.

This claim was rejected by the Osun State Government, the PDP, and the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC). When APC directed their candidates to resume work at local government secretariats, protests erupted, turning violent in some areas and resulting in the death of an APC chieftain, Remi Abass.

Despite the controversy, OSSIEC proceeded with the February council elections, which PDP candidates won and were subsequently sworn in. However, Governor Ademola Adeleke directed the newly elected officials not to resume work to prevent further violence, effectively leaving the local government secretariats non-functional.

TOM has called on all stakeholders to set aside political differences and resolve the crisis for the collective good of Osun residents, emphasizing that functional local governments are essential for grassroots development.