The Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government Area in Ogun State, Wale Adedayo, conveyed this information in a letter dated Sunday, which was addressed to the former governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba.
Dapo Abiodun, the Governor of Ogun State, has been alleged to have held back more than N17 billion in federally allocated funds that rightfully belong to the state’s Local Governments over the past two years.
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Wale Adedayo, the Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government Area in Ogun State, brought attention to this matter in a letter he wrote to former governor Aremo Olusegun Osoba on Sunday. Adedayo highlighted that since the commencement of their roles in 2021, each local government has received no allocation from the federal government.
In the letter, Adedayo urged Osoba to intervene promptly and persuade Abiodun to ensure that the constitutionally mandated federal allocation reaches each of the local governments in Ogun State, as stipulated by the 1999 Constitution.
According to Adedayo’s letter, the practice of denying local governments their rightful federal allocations began during the tenure of former Governor Senator Ibikunle Amosun.
In a portion of the letter, Adedayo stated: “I should have written this letter about two years ago, but I was concerned about the potential misconceptions from some people. Moreover, considering your age and the substantial contributions you’ve selflessly made to the progress of our state and Nigeria as a whole, one would expect you to be enjoying a well-deserved rest at this point.”
Adedayo urgently sought Osoba’s intervention in convincing Governor Dapo Abiodun to adhere to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and ensure that the local governments in Ogun State receive the federal allocations they are entitled to.
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Since the assumption of office in 2021, there has been a complete absence of federal allocation to each local government. Additionally, the local governments have not received their share of the state’s internally generated revenue, which the Constitution mandates to be 10%.
Adedayo highlighted that the repercussions of withholding federal allocations from the local government councils are evident. The local governments faced losses in the previous elections, which could have been avoided if they had received the necessary funding as outlined in the 1999 Constitution.
The letter also mentioned that former President Muhammadu Buhari had provided assistance to states and local governments in the form of palliatives known as SURE-P. Despite this, the allocated funds were not disbursed to any of the local governments in Ogun State. Adedayo explained that discussions with the Commissioner for Finance revealed claims that the local governments collectively owed the state government N17 billion, a claim he contested.
Adedayo expressed concern over the mismanagement of revenue sources that should benefit local governments, including motor park dues and primary school administration, which have been centralized by the state government. He emphasized the urgent need for assistance in improving the living conditions of the people in Ijebu East Local Government Area, particularly in terms of roads, water supply, healthcare facilities, and education.
In conclusion, Adedayo thanked Osoba for his anticipated prompt response to the matter.
