Osun Masterminds Raises Alarm over Local Government Crisis, Security Threats

By Tosin Olasunkanmi, Osogbo

The Osun Masterminds, a civil society group, has raised alarm over the continued collapse of Local Government administration in Osun State, warning that the situation, combined with worsening insecurity, could lead to a total breakdown of governance if urgent steps are not taken.

Speaking during the group’s April 2025 State of the State Address on Monday, 28, Executive Director, Prof. Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli, said the crippling of Local Governments has brought grassroots governance to a halt, paralyzing primary healthcare, revenue generation, community development, and vital citizen services across the state.

“It is regrettable that more than a month after we raised concerns about Local Government inactivity, the situation remains unchanged,” Oyedokun-Alli said.

“Healthcare centres are suffering, road maintenance has stalled, Internally Generated Revenue has dropped, and vital citizen documentation processes have been suspended.”

He noted that rural communities are bearing the brunt of the inactivity, and warned that if the deadlock persists, it could worsen communal clashes and destabilize the entire state.

The Osun Masterminds also decried the worsening state of security across Nigeria, describing the situation as alarming and unsustainable.

“Today, kidnappings, banditry, and terrorism have made it difficult for citizens to live in peace,” Oyedokun-Alli said.

“Whole communities are being wiped out, and government’s failure to act decisively is pushing people toward self-help.”

The group called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently overhaul the country’s security architecture and put service chiefs on high alert to restore order across the country.

Addressing developments within Osun State, the group criticized the delay in the recruitment of teachers and health workers, warning that the prolonged process is worsening the education and health sectors.

“Almost three years into the life of the current administration, critical manpower has not been recruited,” Oyedokun-Alli said. “The shortage of staff is damaging the quality of education and healthcare delivery in the state. It is condemnable.”

The group urged the Osun State Government to immediately conclude the recruitment process to safeguard the future of the state’s youth and the wellbeing of its citizens.

Commenting on the national electricity situation, the Osun Masterminds lamented that despite increasing tariffs, power supply has become more unreliable.

“It is sad that households which used to have up to 16 hours of electricity now barely get three hours daily,” Oyedokun-Alli stated, criticizing recent comments by Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, which he described as false and misleading.

The group urged the Federal Government to prioritize genuine solutions to Nigeria’s power crisis to foster meaningful development.

The Osun Masterminds warned that combining the collapse of Local Governments with insecurity is a dangerous recipe that could completely destabilize Osun State.

“We call on all stakeholders to urgently resolve these critical issues before the situation spirals out of control,” Oyedokun-Alli said.

Ends