A crisis erupted on Wednesday in the Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State as the council chairman, Tope Omolayo, and councillors clashed over alleged mismanagement of LG funds.

The councillors, at their parliamentary sitting in Owo, accused Mr Omolayo of financial improprieties, flagrant violation of the statutory budget and internally generated revenue (IGR) regulations, disrespect to traditional rulers, and misconduct unbecoming of his office.

The councillors announced the suspension of Mr Omolayo from office at the sitting presided over by the leader of the Owo Legislative Council, Doyin Adebayo.

They also resolved to conduct an investigation into the allegations, pledging fairness, transparency, and impartiality in the process.

The lawmakers further appointed Hamed Ibrahim as the council’s acting chairman pending the outcome of the investigation.

In a letter announcing the suspension, the councillors said:

“The council assures the good people of Owo Local Government Area that this suspension is necessary to ensure good governance and accountability. We urge all stakeholders to remain calm and cooperative as we work towards resolving the issues at hand.

“The head of local government administration shall effect all necessary changes to bank signatories, recognising Hon. Hamed Ibrahim as acting chairman.

“All properties of the local government in possession of Mr Omolayo shall be handed over to the head of local government administration.”

Mr Omolayo’s suspension comes barely a month after he alleged that council chairmen across the state were only allowed to access N5 million monthly despite large allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

The council bosses had claimed that most of the funds were centrally managed under a joint account system controlled by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

Reacting to his suspension, Mr Omolayo described the action of the councillors as baseless and politically motivated.

“Those are elements of destruction; I didn’t receive any letter from them. But I know there are some leaders who are not happy with what we are doing. When I asked about their grievance, someone said it was for me to stop all security activities in Owo.

“All they wanted was for me to give them money. When they gave me project money, they said I should give them 30 per cent. I said no. They said I should bring N25 million. All they are agitating for is money,” he said.

Mr Omolayo maintained that he remained the duly recognised chairman of Owo Local Government.

“As far as we are concerned, nothing is happening. I am not impeached. I am not suspended. It’s just an online kangaroo announcement. That’s all I can say for now,” he added.