Local government chairmen in Ondo State have accused Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of starving them of funds despite huge monthly allocations from the Federal Government.

The council bosses claim that instead of receiving their full entitlements of about ₦600 million per council, they are handed only ₦4 million each, a situation they say has crippled grassroots governance.

They also lamented that the governor has failed to implement the Supreme Court’s July 2024 ruling, which granted financial autonomy to local governments across Nigeria.

According to reports, after the FAAC allocation is released, the state government allegedly compels the councils to return most of the funds to the Ministry of Local Government account.

One of the chairmen, who spoke anonymously, said:

“We are made to return the substantial part of the funds into the Ministry of Local Government account, while we are left with ₦4 million. In the last FAAC for June, some local governments received ₦644 million, ₦590 million, and ₦405 million. You can verify this from the BudgIT website.”

The council leaders, however, admitted that many of them are afraid to confront the governor directly over fear of being branded disloyal.

But the state government has dismissed their claims. Amidu Takuro, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, said the arrangement was a “unanimous decision” among stakeholders and not something imposed.

“If anybody is not in agreement, they should come up openly. We are all under the same political party, under the leadership of somebody. What the government has been doing for them is a unanimous decision,” he insisted.

The controversy has once again thrown light on the lingering battle for financial autonomy between state governments and local councils in Nigeria.