The dispute has reportedly triggered violent confrontations and multiple court cases, leaving the local government administration in the state at a standstill.

Naija News reports that a senior Osun State Government official disclosed to Sunday PUNCH on Saturday that the peace initiative began shortly after Adeleke visited Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja following the August 15 governorship election in the state.

According to the official, the President established a small committee headed by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, to develop a framework for resolving the disagreement.

The source added that negotiations had advanced considerably and were approaching their final stage.

The official explained that both the Presidency and the Osun State Government recognised the need to address the local government dispute, which had become a source of public dissatisfaction.

The source said the proposed arrangement would allow both parties to resolve the outstanding issues and approach the courts for an out-of-court settlement, paving the way for normal local government administration to resume.

The official also dismissed suggestions that the peace initiative was a recent development, maintaining that the committee was established during Adeleke’s visit to the President after the governorship election.

The source said Tinubu personally proposed setting up the committee after recognising the increasing complexity of the dispute.

The governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, also confirmed that the Presidency and the Osun State Government were working towards establishing a negotiation team to break the deadlock.

Speaking during a private radio programme in Osogbo on Wednesday, Rasheed said discussions had made significant progress, although he admitted that 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 numerous legal and political complications surrounding the matter.

Rasheed noted that the crisis could not be settled through a simple declaration because several contentious issues required careful consideration.

Among the major concerns, he identified the status of APC-backed council chairmen and councillors, whose tenure he said expired on October 25, 2025.

He also pointed to the situation involving Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmen and councillors who were elected but had yet to assume office because of concerns that their resumption could trigger violence.

Other outstanding issues include the handling of local government funds and purchases allegedly made by the APC-backed council officials.

Rasheed stressed that these matters would need to be addressed as part of any lasting settlement.

He reiterated that the governor and the Presidency were working to establish a negotiation team to examine the issues and determine the most appropriate way to resolve the dispute.

According to him, the negotiations were nearing completion, with both sides hopeful of reaching an agreement before the next general elections.