We are left with N4m out of N600m – LG Chairmen name Gov withholding Federal allocation despite Supreme Court judgment

We are left with N4m out of N600m – LG Chairmen name Gov withholding Federal allocation despite Supreme Court judgment

Local government chairmen in Ondo State are accusing Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of withholding crucial funds, despite a July 2024 Supreme Court ruling that granted financial autonomy to local governments.

According to the council chairmen, who spoke anonymously to avoid being seen as disloyal, the state government has been compelling them to return a significant portion of their monthly allocations to the Ministry of Local Government’s account.

One chairman revealed that each local government council, which is entitled to an average of N600 million from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) each month, is left with only N4 million to operate.

The chairman pointed to recent FAAC figures, stating, “some local governments received N644 million, N590 million, and N405 million” in the last June allocation.

The chairmen claim they were told that the state government is managing the funds to cover shared responsibilities, including:nPrimary healthcare, Basic education, Funding for the Amotekun security corps

In response to the allegations, Amidu Takuro, the Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, criticized the chairmen, stating they were aware of the arrangement.

He challenged any chairman who disagreed with the policy to speak out openly.

“What the government has been doing for them is a unanimous decision,” Takuro said. “It is not something enforced on anybody.”