… Critics Accuse Gov Misusing Public Funds Amid Infrastructure Decay
…PDP Warns Gesture Undermines Local Government Autonomy
Daud Olatunji
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has come under intense scrutiny and criticism following his Christmas Day distribution of 20 brand-new 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross SUVs to the state’s local government chairmen.
The presentation, which took place in Abeokuta, formed part of the Christmas festivities and drew expressions of appreciation from the council chairmen. Represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, Governor Abiodun said the vehicles were provided to enhance effective governance and service delivery at the grassroots. He commended the local government chairmen for partnering with his administration to deliver the dividends of democracy at the grassroots and assured them of continued support to drive socio-economic development across the state.
Despite these assurances, the move, widely publicised as a gesture to boost grassroots governance, has ignited a political firestorm, with opposition parties and civil society actors questioning the legality, timing, and priorities of the exercise.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described the gift as a “brazen affront” to local government autonomy and a “misplaced priority” amid widespread infrastructure decay and public service deficiencies.
In a statement issued on Friday by its Publicity Secretary, Otunba Arc. Kayode Adebayo, the party alleged that the distribution “smacks of quid pro quo” and warned that it could amount to exchanging statutory rights and financial allocations due local councils for luxury vehicles.
“The governor’s claim that the SUVs will boost local government performance is a weak and deceptive justification,” the PDP stated.
“It is full autonomy, not exotic SUVs, that guarantees productivity, accountability, and effective governance at the grassroots.”
The party further decried the state of collapsed roads, neglected schools, crumbling health centres, and unsafe communities, insisting that local governments were being incapacitated by the siphoning of statutory funds.
Echoing these sentiments, the Labour Party (LP) in Ogun State condemned the procurement as insensitive and reflective of misplaced priorities.
The party’s state chairman, High Chief Oluwabukola Soyoye, lamented that residents continue to contend with bad roads, flooding, lack of potable water, and decaying public infrastructure, yet the government chose to spend huge public funds on luxury vehicles for political office holders.
Soyoye argued that the resources could have been better channelled into road rehabilitation, healthcare, education, and poverty alleviation.
“The comfort of political elites is being prioritised above the wellbeing of ordinary citizens,” he said.
Despite the criticisms, some observers have commended Governor Abiodun’s gesture.
Chief Olalekan Shoyinka, popularly known as Ayinla Egba and convener of the United Premier Movement, described the SUV presentation as a “commendable and symbolic” act recognising grassroots administrators and fulfilling a campaign promise.
He acknowledged that the move sends a reassuring message of inclusion to local government officials.
However, Shoyinka cautioned that the initiative raises deeper constitutional and governance concerns.
He questioned whether local government allocations are truly reaching councils and stressed that, “If local governments were financially autonomous in practice, chairmen would be able to prioritise and procure their operational needs — including vehicles — without depending on state-level benevolence.”
He added that sustainable grassroots development requires institutional autonomy, fiscal responsibility, and accountability, not seasonal generosity.
The controversy also highlights the unresolved issue of local government financial autonomy, recently reinforced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s assurances to enforce the Supreme Court’s July 2024 judgment.
Quoting the President, Shoyinka said, “There is no autonomy without a funded mandate,” urging the federal government to ensure direct disbursement of statutory allocations free from interference or diversion.
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