Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has responded to claims of insufficient funding for Local Governments (LGs) within the state. He revealed that his administration has often supplemented the funds allocated to LGs from the Federation Account to ensure they can fulfill their responsibilities effectively.
The Governor’s statement comes in the wake of allegations made by Wale Adedayo, Chairman of Ijebu East LG, asserting that Ogun State had not allocated any revenue to LGs since 2021. Adedayo’s concerns centered around the inability of LG chairmen to undertake projects over the past two years. He called on former Governor Chief Olusegun Osoba to mediate and advocate for the proper disbursement of funds to LGs, as prescribed by the 1999 Constitution.
Adedayo, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), took a step further by submitting petitions to both the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC). These petitions requested an investigation into allegations of Governor Abiodun’s alleged diversion of local government funds.
In a series of responses, Governor Abiodun’s Chief Press Secretary, Lekan Adeniran, issued a statement reiterating the Governor’s commitment to proper fund management. The Governor questioned the notion of “hijacking” funds when the intention was to supplement the allocated resources for LGs to meet their obligations effectively. He clarified that the funds designated for State LGs are overseen by the constitutionally mandated Joint Account and Allocation Committee (JAAC). This committee ensures the proper allocation of resources to the third tier of government for optimal performance.
Governor Abiodun also assured that all allegations would be thoroughly examined in due course. He emphasized the importance of adherence to established procedures and constitutional provisions, pledging to address any concerns surrounding the funding and administration of Local Government resources.