LG Funds: Wale Adedayo's Allegation Against Governor Abiodun Are False- Ogun LOGPAN Chairman

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The Ogun State chairman of the Local Government Pensioners Association of Nigerian LOGPAN Pastor Benedict Ademoye has said that the claims of the suspended chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, Mr. Wale Adedayo are false.

Ademoye posited that (he) Wale Adedayo did not understand the system. If he had consulted with experienced, competent, and knowledgeable Local Government practitioners, he would have been better informed.

He explained that the three-tier governments, federal, state, and Local Governments were constitutionally mandated to settle first-line charges or joint services whenever they got funds from the federal allocation.

Ademoye added that the First line payments include staff salaries, wages, pensions, gratuities,s, etc. The constitution of Nigeria, provided for a body called the Joint Local Government Allocation Committee (JAAC) which manages the joint local government account. All Local Government chairmen are members.

He also disclosed that the state NULGE president, NUT representatives, the state chairman of LOGPAN, and Representatives of the four traditional councils (Egba, Ijebu, Remo, Yewa) among others are members. When funds come to the state each month, members meet and allocate funds giving Priority to first-line charges.

“First-line charges include primary school teachers’ salaries, salaries of Local Government workers, Pensions and Gratuities of retired primary school teachers as well as retired Local Government workers, and a 5% allocation to traditional councils among others. In most cases, funds obtained from Abuja are not normally sufficient for the above”.

“The state government’s argument
When Adedayo’s case happened, the secretary to the state government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi addressed the press. The Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor Mr. Dapo Okubadejo gave a rundown of Local Government fund allocation between 2019 and to date”.

“That was the correct position and any claim contrary to that is false”.

He also maintained that all stakeholders in the administration of Local Governments in the state, let me

He asserted that the L.G. administration was adequately provided for in the 4th schedule of 1979, 1989, and the current 1999 constitution as amended. However, during the Babangida, Abacha, and Abubakar military regimes From 1985 to 1999, certain modifications were made to the LG Administration with military fiat.

“The military transferred Primary School Matters and primary health care into the L.G. system. The system was bequeathed to the Civilian Administration at the beginning of the 4th republican 1999”.

“From 1999 to date in Ogun State, we have four (4) Civilian Governors. It will be interesting to note that the current Adedayo melodrama occurred during the previous three Civilian Administrations too. It happened in 1999 – 2003, 2003 – 2011 and 2011 – 2019. Dramatic personae in these melodramas were elected Chairmen from this same ijebu East local government”

“A part cannot be bigger than a whole” Mr. Wale Adedayo will better learn from history. He is fighting a war he cannot win, all those who tried in the past failed”.

“Of course, the current system has challenges because it spanned 22 years (2001 to 2023). Indices have changed. There is a need for reform. That does not call for wrongful allegations to the person and office of the state Governor. Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun CON the executive Governor of Ogun State DID NOT DIVERT LOCAL GOVERNMENT FUNDS”.

Ademoye argued that in the last two years that Mr. Wale Adedayo had been the chairman of Ijebu East L.G., he and other political functionaries were receiving salaries and allowances.

He pointed out that career officers in the L.G., primary school teachers as well and pensioners (both from primary schools and local government) were paid monthly.

“During the recent celebration of 2 years in the office of L.G. chairmen, projects were commissioned in the LGs, where then did the issue of zero allocation to Ijebu East L.G. come about” he asked.

“The Ministry of Local Government supervises the 20 LGs. The heads of the LG administration and Treasurers of each L.G. see to the E-transfer of funds to all stakeholders”.

“The state government does not manage or administer local government funds”.

“Between 1999 and 2003 when funds were going to the L.G. directly, most local governments owed L.G. workers, primary school teachers, and pensioners up to 8 months of salaries and wages. Several workers and pensioners died. Workers were forced into premature retirement. Families were disorganized; it was a
DARK PERIOD indeed”.

“This was the time all stakeholders came together and put in place the current system of “JOINT SERVICES”! The other 35 states and the FCT Abuja in the federation adopted the model”.

“Therefore, what is happening currently in Ogun State is happening in all states of the federation. The situation in other states is worse than Ogun State”.

“The model is 22 years old. There is a need for review. This goes beyond Prince (Dr) Dapo Abiodun and Ogun State. It is a national matter. The review will involve the 36 state houses of assembly, the national assembly, the national economic council, and the presidency. Given the foregoing, no informed and knowledgeable person will blame the Governor or the government of Ogun State”.