A fresh crisis is brewing in Ondo State as chairmen of the 18 Local Government Areas have clashed with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration over the management of monthly allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).
Some of the council chairmen, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity, alleged that despite the state receiving over ₦644 million in monthly allocations from the Federal Government, each local government is restricted to accessing only ₦4 million.
They lamented that the arrangement has crippled development at the grassroots level and accused the state government of starving local councils of the funds needed to carry out their constitutional responsibilities.
“This situation is making it almost impossible for us to meet the expectations of our people,” one of the chairmen said. “The councils are being reduced to mere appendages without the capacity to initiate meaningful projects.”
The controversy comes amid growing agitation nationwide for financial autonomy for local governments, with critics arguing that state governments often divert or withhold federal allocations meant for councils.
As at press time, the Ondo State Government has not issued an official response to the allegations.
