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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State has condemned in a strong term, the suspension of the Chairman of Ijebu-East Local Government, Hon.Wale Adedayo who accused Governor Dapo Abiodun of diverting monthly statutory allocation of the 20 Local Governments since 2021
State Chairman of PDP, Hon.Sikirulah Ogundele in a statement on Thursday, described the suspension by councilors in the legislative arm of the council as illegal, saying due process was not followed before suspending Adedayo for alleged financial misappropriation
The party accused Governor Abiodun of influencing the anti-democratic act of the councillors, adding that it is mere display of executive recklessness
"PDP as a party strongly condemned this illegal act by councilors who failed to follow due process before suspending a the Local Council's Chairman, Wale Adedayo who was bold enough speak out on diversion of monthly statutory allocation meant for running of the councils and execution of capital projects for the people," the party stated
"We are aware of the visit of the Councils Chairmen under the auspices of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) led by its leader, Hon. Emiola Gazal of Ijebu-Ode Local Government to Governor Abiodun's office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, where the association denied the claim that the allocation for the councils was diverted and later pleaded for forgiveness . This is not enough to sweep the allegation under the carpet'", PDP insisted
The party maintained its stance that the allegation of diversion of the Councils monthly statutory allocation and that of over N10 billion ecological fund against Governor Abiodun must be thoroughly investigated by the Ogun State House of Assembly
He stressed in the statement that the allegation has finally vindicated PDP claim that the All Progressives Congress (APC) led administration has continued to cripple activities of the Local Councils.
"APC since taking over power from PDP in the state in 2011 has been making it difficult for the 20 Local Governments in the state to execute capital projects at the grassroots level which is slowing down development in the state, particularly in rural communities, because the monthly statutory allocation meant for them has been hijacked by the Ogun State Government " he stated .
Ogundele urged the lawmakers to look into the open letter where the Ijebu East Local Government Chairman was quoted to have alleged that the governor has not been remitting 10 percent of the revenue collected from the respective Local Councils to the Chairmen as stipulated in the constitution .
The PDP Chairman equally called on the lawmakers to look into the alleged diversion of over N10.8bn fund from the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme by the Governor.
He maintained that the people of the state last enjoyed the impact of activities of the Local Governments between 2003 and 2011 when PDP was in power because the Chairmen were getting their monthly allocation directly from the Federation Account.
PDP also allowed the Councils to generate revenue and use it for the execution of developmental projects as contained in the constitution unlike now where their sources of revenue are being controlled by the State Government under the anti-people law of the Joint State, Local Government Projects.
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