Mr. Wale Adedayo, the suspended Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government Area in Ogun State, has reaffirmed his commitment to a petition demanding that Governor Dapo Abiodun grant local governments access to federal allocations for grassroots development. Adedayo, who was recently released after a three-day detention by the Department of State Security Services (DSS), remains resolute in his actions, despite his arrest.
Speaking in Abeokuta following his release, Adedayo clarified that his detention stemmed from a petition filed by Governor Abiodun, alleging incitement and potential threats to public peace. Adedayo, however, contended that he had not made any incendiary remarks aside from a letter written to former Governor Chief Olusegun Osoba. In that letter, he accused Governor Abiodun of withholding funding from local governments for two years.
Adedayo expressed his apologies to Governor Abiodun if his statements had caused embarrassment, emphasizing that his goal was to advocate for grassroots development. He also revealed that other local government chairmen contributed to the letter to Chief Olusegun Osoba regarding the lack of allocation to local governments, with Adedayo handling the editing and signing.
He expressed surprise at his colleagues’ withdrawal from the struggle, stating that the DSS had claimed he was inciting protests, which he denied. Adedayo reiterated that he would not retract his statement on zero allocations to local governments.
Regarding the Joint Account Allocation Committee’s assertion that local government funds were intact, Adedayo challenged them to explain the situation to the EFCC. He insisted that local government chairmen should be accountable to the people for funds meant for development.
Adedayo also announced his intention to challenge his suspension in court, denouncing the allegations against him as fabrications. The All Progressives Congress (APC) spokesperson in the state, Hon Tunde Oladunjoye, refrained from comment, stating that the party had yet to convene and discuss the matter.
The Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, emphasized that the state government had not tampered with local government funds. Instead, they had augmented monthly allocations to help local councils meet their financial obligations.
