Tinubu Opens Peace Talks With Adeleke Over Osun LG Crisis Ahead Of 2027 Elections

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke have reportedly intensified efforts to resolve the prolonged dispute over control of local government councils in the state, with negotiations said to be nearing their final stage.

According to Bush Radio Academy, a senior Osun State Government official disclosed that the President established a committee led by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, to develop a framework for settling the disagreement between the state government and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The official said the peace initiative began shortly after Adeleke visited Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja following the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.

The dispute over local government administration has reportedly triggered violent confrontations and multiple legal battles involving the APC and the state government.

According to the government official, both parties agreed to explore a negotiated settlement, with the committee tasked with identifying the outstanding issues and recommending a framework for resolving them.

The official explained that the proposed arrangement would allow both sides to approach the courts and formally settle the cases out of court, paving the way for the restoration of normal administration across the councils.

The source also dismissed suggestions that the peace initiative was recently introduced, insisting that the committee was established during Adeleke’s post-election visit to the President.

Confirming the negotiations, the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, said the Presidency and the Osun State Government were working towards establishing a negotiation team to resolve the impasse.

Speaking on a radio programme in Osogbo on Wednesday, Rasheed said discussions had made considerable progress, although he was not directly involved in the negotiations and could not provide details of the proposed agreement.

He expressed optimism that the dispute would be resolved before the 2027 general elections, despite the legal and political complications surrounding the matter.

Rasheed noted that the crisis involved several contentious issues that would require careful consideration rather than a unilateral decision.

Among the outstanding matters are the status of APC-backed local government chairmen and councillors, whose tenure Rasheed said expired on October 25, 2025, and the position of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmen and councillors who were elected but have yet to assume office amid concerns about possible violence.

He also highlighted questions surrounding the management of local government funds and purchases allegedly made by the APC-backed council officials, saying these issues would need to be addressed as part of any lasting settlement.

According to Rasheed, the complexity of the dispute makes negotiations necessary to ensure that any agreement resolves the underlying disagreements and restores stability to the local government system.

He reiterated that discussions between the state government and the Presidency were approaching the final stage, expressing confidence that the parties could reach a resolution before the next general elections.