Local government Chairmen in Ondo state are not happy with the state governor. Their grouse? Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has not been forthcoming in releasing enough funds for the councils to run their projects for grassroots development.
According to the Chairman of the 18 local government areas, the governor only gave access to a meagre ₦4m monthly out of the millions allocated to them by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
Speaking under condition of anonymity, some frustrated council bosses revealed that while local governments received as much as ₦644 million, ₦590 million, and ₦405 million in the June FAAC disbursement, they were still restricted to the same meager ₦4 million spending limit.
“How are we expected to pay salaries, maintain facilities, or execute new projects with such a tight leash?” one chairman asked. “This is not governance, it’s captivity.”
The chairmen allege that the majority of council funds are channeled through a state-controlled joint account, requiring remittances to the Ministry of Local Government.
They are now calling for full financial autonomy in line with the Supreme Court’s affirmation of local government independence, arguing that President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda cannot thrive without functional grassroots governance.
Their position received backing from the Association for Good Governance Advocacy (AGGA), which urged President Tinubu to enforce direct allocation to local governments across Nigeria. AGGA’s coordinator, Mrs. Folakemi Benson, noted that Lagos State remains the only one in the country where councils have full control over their funds.
State Government Fires Back
In response, the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Amidu Takuro, firmly denied any wrongdoing. He clarified that funds are not diverted but remain in the respective council accounts, with statutory deductions made for essential services including teachers’ salaries, pensions, and education funding.
“These deductions are mandatory, they are not arbitrary,” Takuro stated. “This administration has also cleared gratuity arrears totaling over ₦3.7 billion dating back to 2010. We are committed to transparency.”
He emphasized that the current fund management system was agreed upon unanimously with the council chairmen and is designed to ensure obligations are met promptly and efficiently.
As the war of words continues, residents await tangible solutions that could determine the pace of development in Ondo’s grassroots communities.
