Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has responded to claims that his administration has withheld revenue allocated to Local Governments (LGs) in the state, necessitating additional financial support from the state government. The governor’s clarification comes after Wale Adedayo, Chairman of Ijebu East LG, alleged that no revenue had been allocated to LGs in Ogun State since 2021.
Adedayo’s concerns centered around the challenges faced by LG chairmen in executing projects over the past two years due to what he perceived as a lack of funds. He sought the intervention of Chief Olusegun Osoba, former governor of the state, to advocate that the “statutory Federal Allocation to Local Governments in Ogun State should be allowed to reach each of them as envisaged by the 1999 Constitution.”
While Adedayo, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), submitted petitions to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) requesting an investigation into Governor Abiodun’s alleged diversion of local government funds, the governor has vehemently denied any financial misconduct.
In a statement issued by Lekan Adeniran, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Abiodun addressed the accusations, emphasizing that his administration had consistently supplemented the allocated funds for LGs to enable them to fulfill their obligations. He questioned how providing additional funds to support LGs could be construed as misappropriation.
Governor Abiodun clarified that the funds designated for State LGs are managed through the constitutionally mandated Joint Account and Allocation Committee (JAAC). This committee ensures that the allocated funds are distributed to the local governments for their efficient functioning. Abiodun reiterated his commitment to transparency and accountability, assuring that any allegations made against his administration would be thoroughly examined in due course.
