Oyo: Gov Makinde  Is Diverting Local Govt Funds – APC

By Ayodele Oni

The Concerned Elders Forum of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Oyo State has accused the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde of mismanaging local governments funds.

The Elders Forum alleged that funds accrued from the federation account to the 33 Local Governments in Oyo State amounted to N12.7billion in three months, but only N330million was said to have been released by the State Government to the ‘traumatized’ Local councils.

The opposition group said in Ibadan on Thursday that the said amount is generating ripples amongst the council chairmen who felt shortchanged by the state government’s burdensome activities on the finances of the council areas.

The APC group expressed worry over this matter, just as it bemoaned the lack of transparency, accountability and good governance in the State.

In a statement on behalf of the group, Chief Wahabi Gbadeyanka said that the N12.7biilion represented the total amount that the federal government credited the state as allocation of the council areas.

Gbadeyanka regretted that the said N330million was shared by the 33 councils and the 35 Local council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the State.

He queried what development can come from such a meagre resources to local areas?

The APC chieftain said the breakdown of the said total allocation represented allocations to the 33 Local Governments in July, August and September.

He cautioned against total strangulation of councils in the State, which regrettably is the third and closest tier to the grassroots.

“The Commissioner in charge of local governments and the Accountant General have become mere pawns in the hands of the governor to legitimize all illegal activities currently going on in the State.

“We suspect the money has been misappropriated and this will further aggravate underdevelopment at the local government areas.

“The Peoples Democratic Party government needs to purge itself of various allegations bothering on alleged mind-boggling graft which by the grace of God the APC government of Teslim Kolawole Folarin will look into when he gets the mandate of our people in 2023.

“We can do better as a State for our people. Governor Seyi Makinde is depriving our people quality governance at the local governments which is the closest tier of government to the people.

“Why is the state government spending money meant for Local Governments’ development?

“It has stifled the councils of revenues meant for its growth and development.

“Many of the responsibilities of the Local Governments have been taken over by the State Government. No council in Oyo State can function effectively under the current contraption.

“And with these misdemeanors, there is no way councils can survive. If the trend continues, people of the State would continue to suffer and bear the brunt of underdevelopment.

“Development has taken flight in all the council areas and that’s why we need to support autonomy of Local Governments.

“The question now is has the N12.7billlion been misappropriated in the last three months under review?

“The Local Government autonomy is the way out because on many occasions, State undertakes projects on their behalf and just asked them to append their signatures unreasonably. It appears the State is being run at the expense of councils.”