Oyo Govt Withholding LG Funds for Selfish Reasons – G-68’s Coordinator, Chief Ademola Olawale ‘AGBA-DEMO’ Knocks APM’s Makinde

Afeez Bello,
Ibadan, Oyo State.

The Coordinator of the Forum of former Council Vice Chairmen in Oyo State also known as G-68, Chief Ademola Olawale (AGBA-DEMO) has knocked Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration as anti-people while alleging that the PDP-led government has completely destroyed the local government development in the state.

During a political program tagged,”Ijoba Awarawa” aired on Ogo Ilu 89.3 FM and anchored by Babatunde Salaudeen on Thursday, July 30 in Oko, Ogbomoso town, the pioneer Vice Chairman of the Ogbomoso Central LCDA, Chief Agba-Demo noted that,”Lagos, Niger, Rivers and other States are implementing Local Government Autonomy unlike Oyo State which does not believe in grassroots development.

The Renewed Hope Agenda Ambassador in Ogbomoso North LGA, Agba-Demo, noted that “The good people of Oyo State know what Oyo APC stands for, on local government autonomy. We have total convictions that local government autonomy will strengthen grassroots development “, while hinting that,”APC-led government during the administration of late Gov. Abiola Ajimobi is the first party ever to create Local Council Development Areas (LCDA) while in power.

Agba-Demo lamented that,”The current state ruling party, PDP/APM in the state has degraded local government development”, while maintaining that”If local governments across the state were receiving their allocation directly, the councils would have constructed more roads and brought on board several developmental projects.

On Oyo Guber 2027, Agba-Demo stated that, “With the emergence of Senator Sharafadeen Alli and his running mate, Honourable Michael Adesoji Adedeji as Oyo Guber APC candidates, the new dawn has come in the pacesetter state.

Agba-Demo continued, “Senator Alli understands grassroots governance due to his wealth of experience as former council boss, Secretary to the State Government, Oodua Investment Ltd Chairman, and Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The distinguished senator has held several meetings with the representatives of former local government chairmen and vice chairmen including ex-local council parliamentarians and appointees while assuring us that he will implement local government autonomy in Oyo state.

“In fact, APC candidates across the state, at all strata, are well experienced and capable. Congratulations to Oyo people come 2027”, the former vice chairman enthused.

On President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, Agba Demo said,”Renewed Hope Initiative have Ambassadors ranging from federal to states, local governments down to every polling unit across the country propagating the achievements of President Bola Tinubu. This however, has helped Osun APC and other chapters to be formidable, and Osun APC has positioned itself to take over the state in the gubernatorial election coming up in a few weeks.

Lauding President Tinubu’s administration, Agba-Demo stated that,”Federal Government policies have started attracting investors to contribute to the economic development. Students were receiving NELFUND to sponsor their education and other social welfare programmes are being implemented.

“In Ogbomoso and other zones across the state, there are ongoing federal government road projects that cost over a trillion Naira. States are receiving more allocations from the federal government and it has eradicated the issue of non-payment of workers’ salaries completely.

On Local Government Administration,Agba-Demo revealed that,”The sad issue is that Oyo State government under the administration of Engr Seyi Makinde is withholding local government allocations. For instance, Ogo-Oluwa Local Government allocation is more than 300 million Naira. Is the state government releasing the full allocation to the Local Government? No. Previous administrations in the states were releasing Local Government Funds to them but the current Governor has said he didn’t believe in local government and he’s diverting the Local Government fund”, the party Chieftain emphasised.

On the policies of Tinubu, Agba-Demo, hailed that,”Ogbomoso indigenes were contributing to the development of the country for instance, Dr. Zacch Adedeji is doing wonderfully well as the Chairman, Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), and this is the agency which has boosted tthe Internal Generated Revenues (IGR) of the country. Also, Dr Sunday Akin Dare, a media guru and presidential spokesperson, is a blessing to the nation, from Ogbomoso zone.

Recalling, Agba-Demo emphasised that,”The late Gov. Abiola Ajimobi’s administration established more LCDA’s to bring government nearer to the people through protection of lives and properties, human capital development among others; and they all enjoyed the dividends of democracy. But, unfortunately, under Seyi Makinde, local government staffers are suffering. Meanwhile, they’re scared to speak out.

“Also, Local Government Chairmen under Makinde have become puppets. The Makinde led administration prioritised non-indigenous contractors over indigenous contractors and he has mismanaged everything. Thus, Senator Sharafadeen Alli is coming to right the wrong come 2027”, Agba-Demo assured.

Agba-Demo further maintained that Alli’s emergence in the next general elections will put an end to the maladministration of Engr Seyi Makinde-led government,”With Senator Sharafadeen Alli and his running mate, Hon. Adesoji Adedeji from Ogbomoso zone, a new dawn has come in Oyo State. Congratulations to us all.