A shocking revelation has emerged from elder statesman and former Ondo State governor, Chief Bode George, claiming that music star Davido, his billionaire father Dr. Adedeji Adeleke, and Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke have been personally funding the payment of workers’ salaries in Osun State for the past six months.
Bode George made the disclosure during an interview on Nigeria Info FM, Lagos 99.3, while reacting to the recent controversy surrounding the Federal Government’s alleged non-disbursement of local government allocations to states.
According to him, the financial burden on Osun State has become so heavy due to the Federal Government’s refusal to release local government funds, leaving the state with no option but to turn to private individuals for support. George noted that the Adeleke family has been stepping in to fill the gap.
“Can you believe that for the past six months, Davido, his father, and Governor Adeleke have been the ones paying salaries in Osun? This is not sustainable. Osun State has not received their local government allocations from the Federation Account. The state is being owed over N5 billion,” he said.
Chief Bode George’s comments come amid rising tensions between the Federal Government and some state governors over the management and distribution of funds meant for local governments. The Nigerian Constitution provides for direct funding of local governments through the Federation Account, but several governors have accused the Federal Government of holding back funds.
Governor Adeleke of Osun State, who was elected under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), is now reportedly frustrated with the situation. According to Bode George, the governor is even considering leaving the PDP due to the internal crisis in the party and the lack of support.
“I spoke with Governor Adeleke recently, and he told me he is thinking of leaving the PDP. He is not happy with the way the party is being run and how some powerful people are controlling everything without thinking of the common people,” Bode George revealed.
This statement has raised concerns within political circles, especially in the PDP, as Osun is one of the few states currently governed by the party. A defection by Adeleke could weaken the party’s influence in the South-West ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Political analysts say the governor’s possible exit from the PDP may also affect the political ambitions of his supporters and close allies, including his nephew Davido, who has publicly supported his campaigns in the past.
Davido, born David Adeleke, is not only a global music icon but also a known supporter of his family’s political activities. His father, Dr. Adedeji Adeleke, is a successful businessman and philanthropist with strong ties in Osun and beyond. Both have shown open support for Governor Adeleke, particularly during his election campaign, and are now reportedly helping him run the state amid funding challenges.
Many Nigerians have reacted to the news with mixed feelings. While some have praised the Adeleke family for stepping up to support Osun workers, others see it as a sign of failure in governance and federal-state relations.
“It is good that they are helping, but this should not be happening in a country like Nigeria,” said Tunde Olamide, a public affairs analyst. “Why should private citizens be the ones paying government salaries? It shows that something is seriously wrong with the system.”
Another civil servant in Osogbo who pleaded anonymity said, “We are grateful for whoever is helping us get paid, but this is not how things are supposed to work. The government should be responsible. If the Federal Government is holding our money, they should release it.”
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has not officially responded to the claim made by Bode George, and there has been no official statement from Governor Adeleke’s office either.
The issue has further highlighted the ongoing debate about restructuring, financial autonomy for local governments, and the need for transparency in the allocation of national resources.
As it stands, Osun State appears to be operating under unusual circumstances where political goodwill and personal resources are being used to perform state functions. While the intervention by the Adeleke family may be saving the state from total financial collapse, experts warn that such a model is not sustainable in the long run.
“The government must go back to the drawing board and fix the root cause of this problem,” said Aisha Lawal, a lecturer at the University of Ibadan. “Temporary help is not the answer to structural issues.”
With growing public scrutiny and pressure, Nigerians await an official clarification from both the Federal Government and Osun State on the status of local government funding and the true state of Osun’s finances.
