The Chairman of Ijebu Ode Local Government Area in Ogun State, Alhaji. Babatunde Emilola-Gazal, has been issued a 48-hour ultimatum to provide an account of the federal allocations received by the council area over the past two years. Failure to do so would lead to protests against his administration.
The ultimatum notice was posted on houses in Ijebu Ode township and reads: “Gazal must go, Gazal must go, Gazal must go. Explain to the Ijebus what you have done with the collected federal allocation according to your claim. You are hereby given 48 hours to furnish the Ijebus how you spend the allocations. Failing to do this, will lead to protest within the local government. By concerned citizens.”
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In response to this, Emilola-Gazal confirmed the incident but described it as a “sponsored move.” He also acknowledged staying away from the office for the time being and stated that he would provide an account of his stewardship concerning the funding of the local government when the appropriate time comes.
The tension in the area reportedly stems from Emilola-Gazal’s defense of Governor Dapo Abiodun over allegations of fund diversion meant for grassroots development. The suspended Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, Mr. Wale Adedayo, had alleged a diversion of funds amounting to N10.8 billion. Emilola-Gazal, however, claimed that the governor did not interfere with the distribution and sharing of local government funds from the federation account.
Emilola-Gazal and other local government chairmen had previously visited Governor Abiodun to apologize for Adedayo’s outburst, acknowledging the governor’s commitment to the state’s development and denying allegations of fund diversion.
The chairmen also admitted their inability to pay the mandatory Pay As You Earn (PAYE) to the state due to insufficient funds from the federation accounts, resulting in significant debts to the state.
