Aiyedatiwa Freezes Local Government Accounts, Sparks Anxiety Across Ondo State

By: Gideon EseDecember 16, 20232 min read

The acting governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has taken decisive action by freezing the accounts of all 18 local government areas and 33 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

The development comes just days after Aiyedatiwa assumed the responsibilities of the state’s leadership in the absence of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who is currently on medical leave.

Aiyedatiwa, in a bold step, has not only halted financial activities but has also issued a stern warning to the newly created LCDAs, advising against opening new accounts.

Reports suggest that the governor, in a letter addressed to all local councils, directed an immediate suspension of all spending and expenditure from the local government accounts.

The directive includes a prohibition on signing cheques, changing signatories, and any form of withdrawals until further notice.

Acting Governor Aiyedatiwa Letter Reads:

The letter, which was circulated to the local government authorities, reads, “Distinguished HOLGAs, Your Excellency, the Acting Governor of Ondo State, has directed that all spending/expenditure from local government accounts 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 move has left some caretaker chairmen expressing concern and confusion. One caretaker chairman, speaking anonymously to Vanguard, conveyed, “Yes, he has blocked the account of the local government. We don’t know why he’s doing that now.”

While the motives behind Aiyedatiwa’s actions remain unclear, the freezing of accounts has raised questions about the financial implications for the local governments and the potential impact on ongoing projects and services.

In another significant announcement, Aiyedatiwa revealed that his Deputy Chief of Staff, Omojuwa Olusegun, will assume responsibility for the preparation and signing of his official engagements during this period.

This move adds an additional layer of intrigue to the unfolding situation, leaving citizens and officials alike on edge as they await further directives from the acting governor.

As the state grapples with uncertainty and speculation, residents are keenly observing the unfolding events, hoping for clarity on the reasons behind the freezing of accounts and the potential ramifications for local governance.