Anxiety as Aiyedatiwa Consolidates Power, Freezes Ondo LG Accounts

Segun James

There is tension in the 18 Local government areas (LGAs) and 33 local council development areas (LCDAs) in Ondo State as the state acting governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa has frozen the accounts of the local councils, fueling speculations that their newly appointed caretaker chairmen might be sacked, THISDAY has learnt.

The acting governor also directed the newly created LCDAs not to open new accounts, while also handing over the responsibility of preparing and signing his official engagements to the Deputy Chief of Staff, a duty that was hitherto handled by the Chief of Protocol.

A letter addressed to the local councils, which was sighted in the state read: “Distinguished HOLGAs, Your Excellency the acting governor of Ondo State had directed that all spending/expenditure from local government account should be suspended, no signing of cheques, no change of signatories, no withdrawal of any sort until further directive.

“Please adhere strictly to instruction and be guided,” the letter added.

One of the caretaker chairmen who confirmed the authenticity of the letter under the condition of anonymity, however, described the development as worrisome.

The caretaker chairman said that Aiyedatiwa made the move to assert authority in line with his vision and to consolidate power as the acting governor.

He said: “Yes, he has blocked the accounts of local governments. He is doing it to make the caretaker chairmen fall in line ahead of the party primary next year. He believes the local government fund has been diverted.”

Apart from the freezing of the local councils’ accounts, Aiyedatiwa was also said to have directed that the Deputy Chief of Staff, Omojuwa Olusegun, would be responsible for the preparation and signing of his official engagements. A letter signed by Omojuwa and addressed to members of the State Executive Council and top government functionaries reads: “The acting governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has directed me to inform all members of the State Executive Council and top government functionaries that the deputy chief of staff to the governor would be responsible for the preparation and signing of his official engagements for the time being.

“The Chief of Protocol would take charge of this responsibility as soon as Mr. Governor resumes from his medical vacation,” the letter added.