As the August 2026 Osun State governorship election draws closer, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former Governor Gboyega Oyetola are facing blistering criticism over allegations of executive high-handedness and the strategic withholding of local government funds.
In a strongly worded statement released on January 4, 2026, Comrade Wale Balogun, Convener of the Mekunnu Koya movement, accused the presidency of betraying its “progressive” roots. Balogun argued that the “Renewed Hope” agenda has devolved into “renewed anguish,” claiming that the President is now employing the same autocratic tactics he once fought against during the Olusegun Obasanjo era.
The heart of the controversy lies in the management of local government finances. While President Tinubu once championed local government autonomy as Governor of Lagos, critics now allege his administration is sabotaging the financial stability of Osun State to undermine Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Specifically, the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly has accused Gboyega Oyetola of supervising the unauthorised disbursement of approximately ₦50 billion out of ₦131 billion owed to Osun’s local governments. These funds are allegedly being funnelled to APC-aligned administrators, with reports of payments reaching ₦20 million for chairpersons, while grassroots development remains stagnant.
The Mekunnu Koya movement asserts that these financial manoeuvres are designed to “induce voters” and pave a “soft landing” for the APC’s preferred candidate, Bola Oyebamiji. Balogun described Oyebamiji as a “political neophyte” and alleged that his candidacy is being bolstered by federal might rather than popular support.
The statement further suggests that the real contest for the Abere Government House is not with Oyebamiji, but rather a choice between the incumbent Adeleke and former Speaker Emeritus, Rt. Hon. Najeem Salam, whom Balogun praised for his integrity.
Despite the alleged deployment of material inducements, opposition voices remain confident that the electorate will resist what they term “federal imposition.” Citing Osun’s history of political independence, Balogun noted that the current economic hardship caused by federal policies has left voters wary of any candidate associated with the status quo.
The presidency and Mr Oyetola’s media team have yet to issue a direct denial regarding the specific allegations of illegal fund disbursement, leaving the political atmosphere in Osun increasingly tense as the election cycle accelerates.
