Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has alleged that the Federal Government is sidelining the state because his party is not the ruling party at the centre.
He said the treatment given to Osun shows the dangers of mixing politics with governance.
Adeleke made the claim on Thursday during a democracy and federalism summit in Akure. He was represented by his deputy, Kola Adeusi, at the two-day event organised by Afenifere and the DAWN Commission.
The governor stated that Osun is experiencing open discrimination from Abuja. He accused the Federal Government of using constitutional powers to punish the state for its political choice.
He pointed to what he called a “wilful breach of the constitution” and “politicisation of federal power”, insisting his administration has made efforts to work with Abuja but has been shut out.
According to him, the state has been denied benefits and support that should be automatic in a federal system.
Adeleke explained that since he took office in 2022, ministries and state agencies have been directed to cooperate with federal institutions and participate in national programmes.
Despite that, he said political operators at the centre allegedly frustrated attempts to fix federal roads and revive abandoned federal projects.
He complained that federal initiatives were being routed through party organs instead of the state government, describing the situation as bad for democracy.
“There is an ongoing wilful breach of the constitution to deprive a sub-national entity of its due rights simply because it does not belong to the same party with the ruling party at the centre,” he said. “Osun provides extensive data on how not to treat a sub-national entity in a truly democratic environment.”
The governor also criticised the conduct of federal security agencies in the state. He accused some officers of shielding ruling party politicians and intimidating state officials.
Adeleke added that some political figures had boasted publicly about using security forces for political control.
He referenced an incident where local government funds were withheld earlier in the year without a court order, and elected council officials were prevented from assuming office.
“In Osun today, federal party officials boast of powers to deploy security apparatus to witch-hunt state officials,” he noted.
Despite the alleged hostility, Adeleke said Osun has recorded progress. He mentioned improvements in sectors like education, health, infrastructure and climate action.
The governor noted Osun’s top rankings in primary healthcare in the Southwest and noted that the state had reduced its debt stock and improved its national exam performance.
Turning to the future, the governor urged Southwest leaders to put regional development ahead of party rivalries. He pushed for a circular cargo rail network for the region, dry ports, and a stronger Amotekun security outfit.
“The Southwest must elevate power applications beyond partisan considerations. We must never deploy federal power against ourselves no matter our political differences,” he stated.
Adeleke ended by cautioning against electoral manipulation. He stressed that democracy only thrives when votes are respected. “We must avoid the temptation to rig elections,” he warned.
The article was originally published on Politics Nigeria.
