PDP Urges Visa Ban on Oyetola, Fagbemi Over Alleged Role in Osun LG Allocation Crisis.

The political tension in Osun State escalated on Monday as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) issued a public appeal to European countries, urging them to impose visa restrictions on Nigeria’s Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, and the Minister for Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola. The party accused both officials of allegedly obstructing the release of constitutionally mandated local government allocations to the state.

In a statement signed by the PDP’s Osun State Chairman, Mr. Sunday Bisi, and made available to the press in Osogbo, the party accused the federal appointees of colluding to undermine a Court of Appeal ruling. According to the PDP, the judgment recognized the legitimacy of the party’s elected local government chairmen and councillors. However, the allocations meant to support these councils have reportedly been withheld for five months.

Bisi alleged that Oyetola and Fagbemi were actively disobeying court orders by facilitating payment to ousted All Progressives Congress (APC) local council officials instead of the court-recognized PDP chairmen. Describing the situation as “a threat to democracy,” he called for international intervention, particularly from Western embassies and global human rights organizations.

“We seek a visa ban and other punitive measures to compel these federal officials to comply with the rule of law,” Bisi stated. “We are reaching out to Transparency International, Amnesty International, the European Union, and several embassies to ensure the restoration of democratic order in Osun.”

Osun 2026: Dotun Babayemi Picking Up Steam

He also implored the global community to use the Osun 2026 governorship election as a benchmark to assess Nigeria’s democratic health ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to him, the actions of these federal officials are setting dangerous precedents for electoral justice and governance.

APC Counters Allegations, Defends Federal Officials

Reacting swiftly, the All Progressives Congress (APC) condemned the PDP’s appeal, labeling the party’s leadership a “group of jesters.” In a statement released by the APC’s Osun spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, the party insisted that the PDP’s accusations were “baseless and deceptive,” crafted to mislead both the Nigerian public and international observers.

Olabisi argued that the PDP was intentionally misinforming the global community about the local government allocation issue. He referenced a Court of Appeal judgment dated February 10, 2025, which he claimed reinstated the APC chairmen and councillors. According to the APC, the PDP failed to appeal that ruling and is now attempting to distract from that legal fact by engaging in international lobbying.

“It is not true that any individual or federal institution is blocking the release of local government funds. The rightful recipients are being processed in accordance with the law,” Olabisi affirmed.

He further criticized the PDP for what he described as selective interpretation of legal outcomes. He accused the ruling party in Osun State of trying to withdraw a pending appeal at the Supreme Court to create political confusion. Olabisi also reiterated that the Supreme Court had previously affirmed unconditional autonomy for local governments across Nigeria—rendering any attempts to interfere politically or otherwise unconstitutional.

Adding to the controversy, the APC also leveled a counter-accusation against the PDP, alleging that the current Osun State government misappropriated ₦84 billion in local government funds over several months. The opposition party argued that this financial misconduct directly contravened Supreme Court rulings and represented a deeper abuse of power than the claims made against Oyetola and Fagbemi.

Ongoing Power Struggle and Implications

The local government dispute in Osun State reflects broader tensions between state and federal authorities, exacerbated by deep partisan divides. At the heart of the conflict is the battle for administrative control and financial resources at the grassroots level, often viewed as a critical platform for political consolidation ahead of major elections.

The PDP’s latest appeal to the international community marks an aggressive turn in the political standoff. Analysts say the call for visa bans could heighten diplomatic interest in Nigeria’s internal political affairs, especially concerning election integrity and democratic processes.

Meanwhile, both parties remain locked in a narrative war, with each accusing the other of disinformation and contempt for legal processes. As 2026 approaches, the situation in Osun may increasingly serve as a bellwether for how Nigeria manages legal compliance, institutional independence, and democratic accountability in its evolving political landscape.