Ekiti: Fayemi Insists He Has No Business With LG Funds

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has described as ‘mischievous’, the allegation by a former Chairman of Ado Local Government, Mrs Omotunde Fajuyi, that he is tampers with Council funds.

The State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Olawale Fapohunda had, on Friday, defended the allegation, which he said was laced with political sentiments.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Yinka Oyebode, on same matter on Saturday stressed the need for serving and former political office holders to be truthful and avoid mischief.

The statement reads “The attention of the general public is hereby drawn to a  misleading news story in  circulation and credited to the immediate past Chairman of Ado Local Government Council, Mrs Omotunde Fajuyi.

“She was reported to have alleged that she signed for N100 million allocation monthly, while she held sway as Council Boss, only to be given a paltry N7 million to run the Council.

“While it serves no purpose joining issues with Mrs Fajuyi, it is important to state that either Mrs Fajuyi or the news media that reproduced her radio interview misrepresented the facts of the matter, hence, the need to put the record straight for the sake of the reading public and to correct the wrong impression created.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the monthly allocation from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) to the Local Government are determined by the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) at the State level. This is in line with relevant provision of the law.

“While the JAAC meeting is held monthly to determine how the allocations to the Local Government would be disbursed, it is on record that Governor Kayode Fayemi has never meddled in the JAAC affairs, nor superintend over any of its meetings.

“Except for the purpose of mischief, Mrs Fajuyi knew the Governor never had anything to do with JAAC throughout her tenure as Council Boss.

“It is a common knowledge that the difference between Gross Allocation to all Local Government (After FAAC) and Net Distributable (ND) is  because of some statutory deductions which are usually done before the Local Government Councils are credited.

“These statutory  deductions include payment of staff salary; primary school teachers’ salary; payment of Traditional Institutions, proportional payment of pensioners, payment of political office holders, including the Chairman; payment of health workers salary, proportional payment for security outfits.

“All the above are deducted at the JAAC meeting which usually have in attendance the Council Chairmen, Commissioner for Local Government, State and Local Government Auditors General, among other state officials.

“It is important for serving and former public office holders to always demonstrate high sense of responsibility in their daily conduct and public engagements, be as truthful as possible, avoid mischief and unwarranted mudslinging as did Mrs Fajuyi.

“It is a shame that Mrs Fajuyi’s remarks have created the impression of unwholesome financial activities on the part of State officials.”

The statement claimed that Governor Fayemi never attends JAAC meetings where funds are allocated. Findings show that his Chief of Staff presided over the monthly meeting, being held at the Governor’s office.