Posted by By NWAGBO NNENYELIKE, Ilorin on
The chairman of Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, Mr Dele Abiodun has been suspended over allegation of financial misappropriation and mismanagement. His deputy has been directed to act as the chairman.
The chairman of Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, Mr Dele Abiodun has been suspended over allegation of financial misappropriation and mismanagement. His deputy has been directed to act as the chairman.
The Governor of Kwara State, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki who approved the suspension, directed the ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to investigate the matter and submit its report to the state House of Assembly.
A statement signed by Bisi Abidoye the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor made available to Daily Sun, stated that apart from financial impropriety, the chairman compromised the security of not only his people but the state.
'The development is over allegations of financial impropriety, mismanagement and compromise of the security of the people of the local government and that of Kwara State in general levelled against the chairman," the statement added.
However, the Commissioner of ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hajia Nimota Ibrahim told Daily Sun that the state government is worried over how the council boss spends the local government allocation, non-performance and act of insurbodination, adding that Mr Abiodun has been telling people that the state government has cut his monthly allocation.
Denying that the state government tampered with the council's allocation and that of other local government areas, she said ,'the suspended chairman had been telling those who care to listen that the state government reduces his monthly allocation. I state clearly that we do not cut the allocations of the local government areas. The joint account which the state and local government areas operate was agreed upon. And Ekiti Local Government was the first major beneficiary. Yet the road project being executed in Ekiti Local Government area at N89 million is the only meaningful project he can point at as his achievement.
'Apart from that, he was not embarked on any other meaningful project. So the state government is worried over how he spends the allocation allotted to Ekiti local government area. We want to know the where about of Ekiti Local Government funds." Hajia Ibrahim further explained.
This is necessary because there was a time he complained of inadequate funds and asked to be allowed to take a loan. He was given the go ahead to take a N15 million time loan, which should be repaid in six months."
The Commissioner further said that 'in order to serve as a deterrent to others, Dr Saraki directed that he should go on suspension with immediate effect we have been told to forward our report to the House of Assembly. And within seven days, the House shall ascertain the level of mismanagement and misappropriation against the chairman,"
When Daily Sun contacted the suspended chairman, Mr Abiodun he could only mutter 'No comment."