Ogun Zero Allocation Controversy: LG Chair Impeached, Says Struggle Continues

The councillors of the Ijebu East Local Government of Ogun State, on Thursday, impeached the suspended chairman of the local government, Wale Adedayo, over allegations of financial misappropriation and diversion of council funds, among other allegations made against him.

This was according to a statement by the leader of the legislative council of the LGA, Fasheyi Akindele.

Meanwhile, Adedayo after his appearance before the councillors said he was not fighting any personal cause with the government in power in the state, but fighting for the good people of the local government.

The LGA’s statement read, “The councillors of Ijebu East Local Government of Ogun State earlier today impeached the suspended chairman of the local government, Wale Adedayo, over allegations of financial misappropriation and diversion of council funds, among other allegations made against him.

“After a series of invitations by the House, which were ignored in the past, Adedayo eventually appeared before the legislative council today as the councillors continued their probe of the chairman.

“The suspended chairman owned up before the full House of 11 councillors that he diverted federal allocations sent to the council by the state government and used them for purposes other than what the state government approved.

“Adedayo also agreed that he spent the council funds till August 2023, even when the budget was yet to be approved, whereas the law only allows him to spend till March 2023.

“Adedayo also opened up that he used N5.2m to produce 20 pieces of chairs and tables instead of the 290 chairs that the money was meant for as approved by the state government.

“On the issue of illegal levies and strikers to commercial transport operators in the local government, Adedayo said he thought the House had passed the Bill to that effect, but the Leader of the House reminded him that a Bill if passed by the House, would have been jointly signed by the leader of the House and the council chairman.

“That the chairman has run afoul of the laws of the land, specifically the Ogun State Local Government Laws 2006 and committed serious impeachable offences was therefore established.

“After about three hours deliberation, the impeachment of the chairman was put to votes. Five councillors voted for his impeachment, four voted against, with one abstention.

“Therefore, the leader of the House pronounced Mr Wale Adedayo impeached as the Chairman of Ijebu East LG.”

Adedayo had earlier in the morning appeared before the legislators of the local government to defend the allegation of financial misappropriation and maladministration levelled against him.

Reacting to the the impeachment, Adedayo had reportedly alleged that the Leader of the house, Hon. Akin Faseyi is a liar.

His words : “I knew you were up to some mischief when you disallowed our media crew from recording the proceedings of the House in the morning. But you’ll be surprised to know that despite the video not being available, we were still able to do an audio recording.”

Why do you have to lie so brazenly that I admitted wrongdoing? The fabrications which you presented to the public as what I said is an affront to my Eleda. All the documents you requested for are within your reach in the office. So, what happened to the Committee that was supposed to look into the so-called petitions?

Two things I told you in the morning and your responses were not even reflected:

You are on errand from Abeokuta to throw spanners into the wheel of my challenge to Mr. Governor about our monthly Federal Allocation. Despite your denial of same, I put it to you that you and your six colleagues were brought to Ogbere from Abeokuta in a Toyota Civilian Coaster bus escorted by Policemen from the Government House pool. You were perfidious to the extent that you did not inform your four remaining colleagues that the sitting would hold by 8am. Thank God for His mercies. We knew about that since yesterday and we knew an impeachment assignment had been given.

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After being told our matter is now in court, you initially said the Council has not been served. But thank God for a dutiful Clerk of the House, who countered to confirm you were served yesterday. But, sadly, you still insisted NO court can stop your work “because the Legislature is superior to the Judiciary.” Hope you’ll repeat that in court on 22 September?

You are just being used to sidestep the Federal Allocation issue. The money will not go into my personal account. It will not only help us in Ijebu East Local Government, it will help all others throughout Ogun State. Thank God for the people of Yewa North and Ijebu Ode Locàl Governments, who are willing to ask questions. Questions are being asked by the people. I am sure you guys are afraid of questions from your constituents, which is the reason you are being kept in Abeokuta and anytime you come home you come with heavily armed policemen.

But, no kain, my belief is that we are all writing our political history. It will be tabled in the fullness of time, Adedayo added.