Aiyedatiwa Frisks Us of N600 Million Monthly Allocations, Leaves N4m from FAAC, Ondo LG Chairman Crry Out
Local government chairmen in Ondo State have accused Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of depriving them of essential funds necessary for the effective administration of their councils, despite the Supreme Court’s July 2024 ruling granting financial autonomy to local governments.
Revealing that the state government had disbursed a mere N4 million from the N600 million monthly allocation each council is entitled to from FAAC, one local government chairman, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that this situation has severely impeded their ability to function.
Several chairmen, also speaking anonymously due to the delicate nature of the matter, disclosed that after the FAAC allocation is released, they are obliged by the state government to remit a significant portion of the funds back to the Ministry of Local Government’s account.
The council leaders, who shared this information in Akure, the state capital, expressed reluctance to directly confront the governor for fear of being labeled disloyal.
“We are compelled to return a substantial part of the funds to the Ministry of Local Government account, leaving us with a paltry N4 million. In the last FAAC for June, some local governments received N644 million, N590 million, and N405 million. This can be verified on the BudgIT website.
“We remain under the oversight of the state government. We were informed that the state government continues to manage our funds due to certain obligations, such as primary healthcare, basic education, and the financing of Amotekun,” one of the chairmen remarked.
In response, Amidu Takuro, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, chastised the council chairmen for their lack of candor, asserting that they were aware of the arrangement.
“If anyone disagrees, they should voice their concerns openly. We are all members of the same political party, under the leadership of a single individual. The government’s actions are the result of a collective decision, not something imposed on anyone,” he stated.
