Osun residents fault FG, APC over seized LG fund, vow retaliation in election – Survey

News Update

A new survey by Geopolitical Survey International (GSI) has revealed mounting public anger in Osun State against the Federal Government and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over the protracted seizure of local government allocations.

The survey, conducted between August 1 and 15 across nine federal constituencies of the state, sampled 10,000 respondents, with 60 percent women and 40 percent men. It covered major towns including Osogbo, Ile Ife, Ikirun, Iragbiji, Iwo, Ila Orangun, Ikire, Ejigbo, Ede, Ilesa, Odeomu, Ilobu, Esa Oke, Ipetumodu, and Kuta.

Findings showed that women bear the heaviest brunt of the crisis, with 84 percent of respondents identifying them as the most negatively impacted by the federal government’s withholding of the funds. Only 10 percent mentioned men, while 6 percent were undecided.

On culpability, 86 percent of respondents blamed the Federal Government, describing the action as illegal and unconstitutional. Eleven percent blamed the state government, while 3 percent expressed indifference.

The survey further revealed that the political fallout could be significant. About 87 percent of respondents vowed to vote against the APC in future elections as a result of the crisis, with 85 percent declaring support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) if elections were to be held today. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) attracted 2 percent support.

Lead consultant for GSI, Dr. Adeyemo Adeyefa, said the results underscored “solid home support for the state government in its encounter with the Federal Government” and reflected “the growing anger of indigenes and residents against the APC.”

According to him, the survey suggests that the allocation seizure “has increased hardship for womenfolk in Osun State” and significantly eroded APC’s favourability. He noted that PDP’s acceptance had risen from 65 percent three months ago to almost 85 percent in August.

“This outcome indicates that the APC strategy may have backfired, as the fund seizure has boosted the public appeal of the PDP and strengthened the state government’s support base,” Adeyefa said.

He added that this was the fifth survey conducted by GSI since January and promised further refinement of the organisation’s methodology for future research.

Geopolitical Survey International is an opinion poll group based in Abuja based, but with a project in Osun. This is their 5th Survey on Osun public related issues.