President Bola Tinubu has initiated discreet high-level discussions with Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke in an effort to resolve the protracted crisis over control of local government administrations in the state. Multiple sources familiar with the negotiations confirmed that the talks, which began late last week, aim to restore functional governance at the grassroots and reduce political tension ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The dispute has centred on the recognition of local government chairmen, the release of federal allocations, and the operational autonomy of councils. For several months, many local government areas have experienced disrupted services, delayed staff salaries, and stalled development projects. Residents and civil society groups have repeatedly called for an end to the standoff, citing its negative impact on primary healthcare, basic education, and local infrastructure.
Presidential aides said the discussions involve key stakeholders from both the All Progressives Congress and opposition parties in Osun. One senior official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks, stated that the objective is to produce a workable framework that respects existing court judgments while ensuring uninterrupted service delivery. “The President is determined that local governments must function effectively. The people should not continue to suffer because of political disagreements,” the official said.
Political analysts note that a successful resolution could provide a template for handling similar local government disputes in other states. As of Sunday, both sides were reviewing draft proposals. No joint public statement has been issued, and further meetings are expected in the coming days. Observers will be watching closely to see whether the intervention yields concrete results before the political temperature rises further.
