September 06, (THEWILL) – Chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) across the 20 Local Government Areas of Ogun State, on Tuesday, said the action of the suspended Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, Mr. Wale Adedayo, was to derail the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun.
The chairmen said Adedayo did not mean well for the State, describing his claim of zero allocation to the third tier of government in the State as unfounded.
The chairmen, during a courtesy visit to the Secretary to the Government of Ogun State, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, in his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, said they have independently taken steps to investigate all the claims by Mr. Adedayo and found out that he was playing to the gallery and outrightly being mischievous.
Speaking on behalf of the group, APC Chairman for Abeokuta South, who is also the Chairman of the body, Mr. Henry Fagbenro, said the facts and figures showing the disbursement of allocations to Local Governments in the State in the last four years outrightly negate the claims of the suspended chairman.
“We suspect that Mr. Adedayo does not mean well for the State and us. His plan is to derail this present administration, which is already on course,” he said.
Fagbenro noted that the party chairmen, as stakeholders, decided to investigate the truth behind the whole saga but were embarrassed that what was in the media was basically false and misleading.
“SSG sir, if you care to know, when we heard all these fake stories being circulated, we were worried not because we were oblivious of the inclusiveness of the Governor in ensuring that he carried all stakeholders along, being a stickler to rules and regulations, but because we felt the claimant, being a chairman, cannot say what is not true at his level.
“Albeit we were taken aback having found out the truth by ourselves and we dissociate ourselves completely from his incendiary and ignoble actions,” he said.
Fagbenro added that contrary to Adedayo’s claims that LGs received zero allocations, the State Government augments the allocation almost on a daily basis while also earmarking funds for them to be able to carry out capital projects.
In his response, Mr. Talabi commended the party chairmen for taking the initiative to investigate on their own as major stakeholders in the State, describing the step as one in the right direction.
Talabi said the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun has genuinely demonstrated inclusiveness and transparency for all to see, knowing that the government did not have much credibility with the people before the present government came on board.
The State Scribe noted that the Governor was really baffled by the claims of Mr. Adedayo, knowing that his administration gives hundreds of millions almost monthly to shore up their allocation so as to fulfil their statutory obligations.
Talabi noted that N1.8 billion has been given to the 20 Local Governments to undertake infrastructural projects with close supervision of the State in order to ensure the projects are not concentrated in one area.
“So, the Governor felt his magnanimity was being taken for granted with all these fallacies. I urge you all to go out there to educate our people whom he may have dissuaded because I know that truth is sacred and will always prevail.
“This administration is open and transparent like no other and I think maybe this our passion to ensure that our people are actively involved in the day-to-day running of government is being taken for granted but the Governor has affirmed that he will continue to do what is right,” the SSG said.
About the Author
AYO ESAN, has been actively reporting and analyzing political events for different newspapers for over 18 years. He has also successfully covered national and state elections in Nigeria since the inception of this democracy in 1999.
