The suspended Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government Area in Ogun State, Mr. Wale Adedayo, who was recently released from three days of custody by the Department of State Security Services (DSS), has maintained his stance on demanding that Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, allows local governments in the state access to federal allocations meant for grassroots development.
Adedayo, during a press briefing in Abeokuta, stated that he has no regrets about his actions, despite his arrest and detention. He explained that he was detained based on a petition sent by Governor Abiodun to the security agency, alleging that Adedayo had been making inciting comments that could jeopardize public peace.
The suspended local government chairman expressed that he never made any inciting comments, apart from a letter he wrote to former Governor Chief Olusegun Osoba, where he alleged that Abiodun had not funded the local governments in the state for two years. Adedayo further stated that he has no intention of retracting his statement about the zero allocation to the local governments.
He also apologized to the governor if his statement had embarrassed him, emphasizing that he only wants the best for the people at the grassroots. Adedayo revealed that other local government chairmen in the state contributed to the letter he sent to Osoba about zero allocations to local governments, and he simply edited and signed it.
Regarding his colleagues who initially supported the letter but later withdrew their support, Adedayo expressed surprise at their change in stance.
The DSS had alleged that Adedayo was planning a protest and making inciting comments against the state government. Adedayo clarified that he had no involvement in any protests and reiterated that he was motivated by his conscience and the desire for the well-being of grassroots communities.
He also stated that the facts are clear, and if the local governments are funded properly, it would be to the credit of the governor, just as past governors received credit for local government projects.
Adedayo plans to challenge his suspension in court, maintaining that all the allegations against him by lawmakers were false and fabricated.
The Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, insisted that the state government had not tampered with local government funds and had, in fact, augmented monthly allocations to help the councils meet their financial obligations.