Governor Abiodun denies tampering with LG funds

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State says his administration has frequently had to supplement funds allocated to Local Governments (LG) in the State from the Federation Account in order for them to meet their obligations.

National Daily Newspaper reports that Abiodun’s disclosure is in response to allegations made by Wale Adedayo, the Chairman of Ijebu East LG, that the State has allocated zero revenue to Local Governments since 2021.

Adedayo had lamented the inability of LG chairmen to carry out projects in the last two years and urged Chief Olusegun Osoba, former governor of the state, to intervene immediately and persuade Gov. Abiodun 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.”

The Council boss, elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), like his principal, however wrote to the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) requesting that the Governor be investigated for alleged diversion of local government funds.

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In separate petitions to the EFCC and the ICPC on Tuesday, he requested the anti-graft agencies’ immediate intervention.

The Governor, via a statement issued by Lekan Adeniran, his Chief Press Secretary, stated that he had never tampered with local government funds.

Wondering how adding to the funds allocated to local councils to meet their obligations amounted to hijacking their funds, Governor Abiodun said funds earmarked for State LG’s are managed by the constitutionally mandated Joint Account and Allocation Committee (JAAC).

JAAC members ensure that the third tier of government receives the necessary allocations for optimal performance and every other allegations would be looked into in due time he added.