Ondo poll: State won’t tamper with LG funds, Aiyedatiwa tells voters

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has promised to allow the local government to manage its funds if elected.

The Supreme Court recently granted financial autonomy to local governments in the country and Ondo State has fixed January 18, 2025,  for the local government election.

Speaking during a campaign at Ondo East Local Government Area of the state, on Saturday,  the governor, who is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, said he was keen on community development, hence he had no plan to tamper with local government funds.

He promised, “We will continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to the good people of Ondo State. This has become possible because I don’t mess with the allocations of local government areas.

“Our traditional rulers now get what they are entitled to and we have corrected the errors of the past by promoting the overall development of the local government areas.

“Our administration has been focusing more on enhancing agriculture and promoting food security in the state. This, we will continue when we are elected on November 16.”

The traditional ruler of the Epe community in the Ondo East  Local Government Area, Oba Isaac Oyebade, welcomed the governor to his palace and appealed to the state government to upgrade his stool to first class.

“Historically, Epe is an ancient town home to all Ekimogun-speaking people today, including Idanre and Ile-Oluji. The town cannot be left out of the scheme of things. So, if other towns are upgraded, Epe should not be left out,” he pleaded.

Earlier, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr Olamide Oládiji, assured the governor that the people of the local government would vote en masse for him.

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