As legal tensions mount between the Osun State Government and the Federal Government over withheld local government allocations, renowned Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Robert Clarke, has urged the creation of an independent and transparent body to oversee the disbursement of federal funds to local councils.
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Clarke made the remarks during an interview on ARISE News on Tuesday, where he addressed the ongoing legal action filed by the Osun State Government before the Supreme Court. The case seeks the release of local government allocations for February, March, and April 2025, which the state alleges have been unlawfully withheld by the Federal Government.
While acknowledging the Supreme Court’s constitutional authority to intervene, Clarke emphasized the need for structural reforms beyond litigation. “For progress in Nigeria and for sanctity, I believe this is the correct position,” he stated. “Create a body that, when the money leaves the federal treasury, goes directly to a particular body that is ascertainable to everybody and will not be maneuvered by any governor for any particular purpose.”
The Osun State Government, led by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), claims the withheld funds have crippled local administration, prompting it to seek judicial redress and an injunction to prevent future occurrences.
Clarke’s proposal introduces a reform-driven dimension to the debate, calling for institutional safeguards to prevent political interference in local governance financing.
According to him, a long-term solution lies in clearly identifying a credible institution or individual within each state to be responsible for managing local government funds. “Let the federal government first identify the particular person or body within that state that will receive and distribute the funds. If that is done, we can then go into all the nitty-gritty,” he explained.
He further argued that establishing such a mechanism would promote accountability and ensure that funds meant for grassroots development are not misappropriated or politicized.
With the matter now before the Supreme Court, Clarke expressed optimism that the judiciary’s intervention would provide clarity and perhaps set a precedent for future allocation disputes.
“I’m happy the Supreme Court is being asked to look into this matter,” Clarke said, voicing hope for a resolution that strengthens both constitutional order and fiscal responsibility at the grassroots level.
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