Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has expressed concern over the allegations made by Wale Adedayo, the former chairman of Ijebu East Local Government Area.
Adedayo accused Abiodun of diverting federal allocations meant for all 20 local government areas since the elected chairmen took office two years ago. However, the situation took a turn last week when Adedayo was impeached by five out of the eleven-member Legislative Council of the local government.
In response to these allegations, Governor Abiodun, in a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Lekan Adeniran, met with leaders of the APC in Ijebu East Local Government, led by Chief Segun Osibote, a former member of the House of Representatives.
During this meeting, Governor Abiodun stated his willingness to defend himself against the allegations of fund diversion made by Adedayo.
He emphasized the importance of party members adhering to the party’s constitution and taking responsibility for their statements and actions. Governor Abiodun believes that only when individuals face the consequences of their words and actions will they refrain from spreading falsehoods.
He also made it clear that he is determined to ensure that Adedayo is held accountable for the false accusations he has made against him.
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Abiodun said, “There are two things; he lied against me as the governor, he lied against me as Dapo Abiodun, he spoilt my name, and he tried to incite the public against the government. Wale Adedayo has to answer all these allegations one after the other.
“We have to instill discipline in governance, discipline in the party, people have to become accountable to what they say. You must be accountable for what you say so that you will always think very well before taking any nasty action.
“People have to be made to bear the consequences of whatever they say and until we do that, they will not stop and I am prepared to ensure that Wale Adedayo is held responsible for what he has said.
“He said he is committed to what he has said. He has to go and prove and show that I, Dapo Abiodun, Governor of Ogun State diverted public funds. He has to go and prove that,” the governor said.
Abiodun hinted that he had known Adedayo before he became the Governor, saying the ousted chairman was not his enemy.
“I have known Wale Adedayo for so many years. I had been supporting him before I became Governor. When I became Governor, I appointed him as a consultant on media. I did not ask for the input of leaders of Ijebu East Local Government before I appointed him, so, Wale is not my enemy.
“When it got to the issue of council elections, I thought to myself that council chairmanship isn’t meant for him because I know the kind of a person he is. I know that he wasn’t a person stable in character.
“The funds for the local government go straight into the account of local governments where they meet, share and remove what we call first-line charge from it; the salary of health workers, teachers in the local government, staff of the local government themselves and the salary of traditional rulers.
“He himself collects his own security votes. It has never been late. I even look for projects for them. Sometimes, I dip my hand into state funds for them so they can also have projects to execute. That same person can now say that I have been diverting local government funds,” he said.
Governor Abiodun issued a stern warning against any attempts to disrupt the current peace prevailing in the state. He emphasized that those harboring such intentions would find no respite, as the state would continue its progress, with or without their involvement.
Governor Abiodun attributed his position as Governor to a divine appointment, underlining his commitment to the state’s development.
Chief Bayo Balogun, the Chairman of the APC in the local government, highlighted that the impeached chairman had disregarded the party while running the local government. He reassured that the members of the APC in Ijebu East stand firmly behind Governor Abiodun and his administration.