Ogun Council Chairman, Gov. Abiodun Trade Words Over LG Funds Diversion

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and the Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, Wale Adedayo, traded words over the release of council funds and allocations.

Naija News understands that Adedayo had accused the governor of withholding the LGs’ allocations and petitioned the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) over the issue.

Adedayo lamented that the governor had not paid a dime to Local government accounts as Federal allocation in the last two years, and the chairmen had been unable to execute projects in the last two years.

The council chairmen also asked the governor to release the LG funds, ecological funds and other entitlements due to them as envisaged by the 1999 Constitution.

He also called on the former Governor Olusegun Osoba to urgently wade in, and convince Abiodun to allow the statutory Federal Allocation to Local Governments in Ogun State to reach each of the chairmen.

Adedayo also called on the EFCC and ICPC for the investigation of the governor over the alleged diversion of local government funds.

Abiodun Reacts

But in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Lekan Adeniran, on Tuesday, the governor said he had never tampered with local government funds as accused by Adedayo.

He wondered how adding to the funds allocated to the local councils to enable them to meet their obligations amounted to hijacking their funds.

Abiodun said that funds meant for local governments in the state are being handled by the constitutionally recognised Joint Account and Allocation Committee (JAAC).

The governor said that JAAC members ensure that the third tier of government gets the required allocations for optimal performance.