By Bukola Kayode
A Non-Governmental Organisation, the Lygel Youth and Leadership Initiative has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to publish their report on investigations into the alleged mismanagement funds allocated to LGAs in the Ogun State.
Lekan Oladapo, the Executive Director Lygel Youths and Leadership Initiative made the call at a press briefing held in Abuja on Monday.
Reading from his speech titled, “The Gateway State: A Call for Accountability and Governance Reform”, Oladapo alleged that the Dapo Aboidun-led Administration has stifled the Local Councils and this has also led to the economic stagnation of the state.
When asked by Frontline News Online, if the EFCC and the ICPC can take action against Abiodun owing to his constitutional immunity as a Governor, Oladapo, insisted that the anti-graft agencies are empowered by law, as well as judicial decisions, to investigate governors, announce the results of their probe and prosecute those found wanting after their tenures.
He said: “The “Building Our Future” mantra cannot be built on a foundation of opacity and neglected grassroots. We call on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to make public their reports into the investigations of allegations of diverted Local Government funds and procurement irregularities.
‘The most glaring internal crisis of this administration remains the strangulation of the third tier of government. Without a robust and functioning local government administration, there is hardly ANY programme of the Federal Government that can work in any part of the country, Ogun State inclusive”.
He added: “We recall the 2023 petition by the former Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, Hon. Wale Adedayo, who courageously affirmed that the Ogun State Government had consistently withheld Federal Allocations and Ecological Funds meant for the 20 local governments in the state. Despite the administration’s denials, the reality on ground have indeed shown that the local governments have operated under a “zero allocation” reality, where they are unable to perform basic functions like rural road grading or maintaining primary health centers without begging the state executive for “intervention funds.”
“This is a direct affront to the Supreme Court’s ruling on financial autonomy for Nigeria’s 774 local governments. It is also a direct assault on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts to reposition the grassroots for quality developments”.
“Case in Point: In April 2026, civil society groups like the, Right Thinkers Global Initiative (Eagleping), were forced to invoke the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act just to get details on the N1.39 billion New Ogun State House of Assembly Complex project.
“Why must citizens go to court or use FOI requests to see the scope, contractor details, and funding structures of projects funded by their own taxes? The lack of an open, functional procurement portal remains a significant red flag for accountability”, he went further to say.
The Lygel Youths and Leadership Initiative Executive-Director had earlier accused the Abiodun-Administration of a lack of transparency and accountability, adding that FOI requests from NGOs have been ignored over the years.
He also scored Gov. Aboidun low on infrastructure, healthcare and all-round development , saying, “For years, the Agbara-Atan-Lusada industrial corridor—which houses some of Africa’s largest factories—remained a nightmare of mud and craters. While recent “Federal” projects like the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway have started to touch these areas in late 2025/2026, the state’s own contribution has been reactive rather than strategic.
“Because of the lack of a coherent “Border Town Development Plan,” potential billion-naira investments are staying in Lagos or moving to other states, while Ogun residents in Akute, Denro, and Ishasi remain cut off from basic infrastructure”.
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