The Ogun State Government has refuted allegations suggesting that the administration led by Dapo Abiodun diverted funds meant for local government areas in the state.

The Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government Area, Wale Adedayo, had accused the governor of redirecting the statutory Federal Allocation intended for the state’s local governments over the past two years.

Adedayo also claimed that the governor diverted more than N10.8 billion from the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme.

However, in response to these allegations, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Lekan Adeniran, issued a statement on Tuesday clarifying that the Abiodun administration consistently supplemented the funds allotted to local governments from the federation account.

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Adeniran emphasized that the governor’s administration did not tamper with local government funds and questioned how augmenting funds to help meet obligations could be interpreted as seizing their funds.

Adeniran highlighted that funds allocated for local governments in the state are managed by the constitutionally recognized Joint Account and Allocation Committee (JAAC).

He pointed out that between May and July 2023, the JAAC allocated significant amounts to local governments for essential expenses such as salaries and pensions for various sectors.

The JAAC comprises key stakeholders in local government administration, and it convenes monthly to discuss and allocate funds to local governments.

Adeniran stressed that this approach has been consistent since Abiodun assumed leadership in 2019.