In the wake of the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursing a staggering N1.969 trillion in revenue for December 2025 to the Federal Government, states, and local governments across Nigeria, questions are mounting over whether Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun will heed the call for true local government (LG) autonomy by crediting allocations directly to LG accounts. This massive payout, which included N513.272 billion specifically earmarked for local governments nationwide, underscores the federal commitment to grassroots funding, yet in Ogun State, persistent allegations of state interference suggest these funds may not be reaching their intended destinations without strings attached.
The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Ogun State has escalated the pressure, issuing a 14-day ultimatum to Governor Abiodun on January 29, 2026, demanding the full restoration of LG functionality and autonomy. The union’s leadership, including Chairman Comrade Adefesobi Adebayo, has decried what they describe as the “steady collapse” of local government administration, pointing to undue state meddling, chronic underfunding, delayed pension payments, and the erosion of constitutional responsibilities assigned to LG councils. Failure to comply, NULGE warns, will result in an indefinite strike that could paralyze essential services at the grassroots level, affecting millions of residents who rely on local councils for basic infrastructure, healthcare, and community development.
This ultimatum comes at a critical juncture, as the FAAC’s recent distribution highlights the direct allocation model intended by federal law, where LGs receive their shares independently of state governments. However, in Ogun State, critics argue that Governor Abiodun’s administration has systematically deprived local governments of the development they deserve. By allegedly withholding or controlling these funds, the state has stifled progress in areas like road repairs, education, and sanitation, leaving communities underserved and frustrated. Reports indicate that LG offices are operating without basic furniture, and workers’ welfare has deteriorated due to inconsistent financial releases. This interference not only violates the spirit of LG autonomy enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution but also hampers the very essence of decentralized governance meant to bring development closer to the people.
Governor Abiodun, it’s time to do the right thing. Crediting local government allocations directly isn’t just a legal obligation, it’s a moral imperative to empower grassroots leaders and ensure equitable growth across Ogun State’s 20 local government areas. With NULGE’s deadline looming and public sentiment turning against you, continuing down this path risks further alienating residents who are already voicing discontent over perceived neglect. Polls and community feedback suggest your popularity is waning, as Ogun indigenes grapple with the fallout of underdeveloped localities amid rising costs of living. The governor should save face now by implementing full LG autonomy, releasing overdue funds, and allowing councils to operate independently. The people of Ogun State deserve better, transparent, efficient, and autonomous local governance that truly serves their needs.
As the ultimatum ticks down, all eyes are on the Governor’s office in Abeokuta. Will Dapo Abiodun rise to the occasion and align with the federal direct allocation framework, or will Ogun State face a shutdown that exposes deeper governance flaws? The ball is in his court, and the stakes couldn’t be higher for the Gateway State’s future.
By A.R. Olanrewaju
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