Ogun Council Chairmen prostrate, beg Dapo Abiodun in a video.
On Tuesday evening, all twenty Local Government Chairmen from Ogun State collectively visited the Office of State Governor Dapo Abiodun to implore his forgiveness on behalf of one of their own, Chairman Wale Adedayo of Ijebu East Local Government. Adedayo had previously accused the governor of withholding allocations meant for the Local Governments.
In a surprising turn of events, the Council members prostrated themselves and earnestly asked the governor for his pardon. The delegation, led by ALGON Chairman Babatunde Emilola-Gazal, arrived at the governor’s office in Abeokuta and humbly requested forgiveness.
A viral video clip captured a snippet of the encounter, depicting ALGON members, including Gazal, beseeching the governor for clemency, especially on behalf of Wale Adedayo, who had initiated the complaint.
Gazal stated, “Your Excellency, we approach you with utmost humility as our father and leader of the state. We plead for your forgiveness. If you, as our leader, do not extend your forgiveness, where else can we turn? Thus, on behalf of the entire council, I extend this apology, with special emphasis on Wale Adedayo.” Gazal proceeded to kneel along with others as a sign of their sincerity.
Governor Abiodun, in his response, asserted that he has consistently fulfilled his gubernatorial duties with genuine intentions.
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To recall, Adedayo had accused the governor of withholding Local Governments’ allocations, leading to an inability to execute projects over the last two years. Adedayo urged former Governor Olusegun Osoba to intervene and persuade Abiodun to allocate the federal funds outlined in the 1999 Constitution to the Local Governments.
Adedayo had also filed petitions with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), urging an investigation into the alleged misappropriation of local government funds by the governor.
In his petition, dated August 28, 2023, Adedayo also accused the governor of denying local government chairmen access to the Ecological Fund and other rightful entitlements.
A portion of the petition reads: “Several revenue sources that should rightfully benefit the local governments have been commandeered by the State Government. Motor Parks and associated dues, which should benefit each local government, are being centrally managed by the State Government. Primary school administration and control have also been taken over. The situation is replicated in other areas. My appeal is for you to assist in alleviating the suffering of our people. Why have these revenue sources been taken over by the state? How can the grassroots prosper?”
Governor Abiodun, as stated in a release by his Chief Press Secretary Lekan Adeniran, asserted that he has never misappropriated local government funds. He questioned how increasing funds allocated to local councils to aid them in fulfilling their obligations equated to seizing their resources. Abiodun clarified that funds designated for local governments in the state are managed by the legally recognized Joint Account and Allocation Committee (JAAC). He emphasized that JAAC members ensure that the third tier of government receives the necessary funds for optimal performance.
