The Osun Youth Coalition has cried out over what it described as a “democratic disaster” following the shutdown of local government councils for 185 days and the continued withholding of Local Government allocations.
At a press conference in Osogbo on Thursday, the coalition — a united front of youth-led civil society organizations said the development has crippled grassroots governance and worsened the suffering of ordinary citizens.
Speaking on behalf of the group, the spokesperson, Babawale Popoola, said, “For 185 days, our Local Government allocations have been trapped in Abuja, and with every passing day our fear increases that our schools will weaken, our hospitals will fail, our roads will die, and our dreams will dim. Not because government is not responsible, but because it is being disempowered.”
The coalition stressed that its intervention was non-partisan, insisting that its concern was not about political parties but about the livelihood of farmers, teachers, students, market women, persons with disabilities, and youths who depend on local government services.
According to the group, the financial blockade has left teachers unpaid, rural infrastructure unattended, health centres underfunded, and youth empowerment programs stalled.
The statement read in part: “This is not just an economic anomaly. It is not merely an administrative problem. It is a democratic disaster and a governance mismalady. It is a wound deliberately inflicted on grassroots governance and the ordinary citizens who depend on it.”
The coalition accused the Federal Government of “punishing ordinary citizens” rather than politicians, warning that the situation could fuel frustration and restiveness among young people in the state.
In addition to demanding the immediate release of the allocations, the group also urged the Federal Government to revive the National Youth Development Centre in Ode-Omu, which it described as a wasted asset.
“That Centre was envisioned as a hub for leadership training, entrepreneurship, digital literacy, and youth innovation, but today it lies dormant, a shadow of its promise,” Popoola said, adding that its revival would demonstrate genuine commitment to youth empowerment.
The Osun Youth Coalition concluded its address with a direct appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu:
“Your Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, please release Osun’s allocations. Let our Local Governments live. Let us breathe.”
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