Fresh controversy has erupted in Akure North Local Government Area as youths under the aegis of the Ondo State Youth Network (OSYN) have accused the council chairman, Hon. Johnson Ogunbolude, of gross underperformance despite the steady inflow of federal allocations into the council’s account since February 2025.
In a statement issued on behalf of the group, Engr. Temi Alex Oluwalade, Coordinator of OSYN in Akure North, alleged that the chairman has little to show for the more than ₦421 million received monthly from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) over the past seven months. According to him, residents of Akure North are yet to feel the impact of governance at the grassroots.
“Since his swearing-in, what has Hon. Ogunbolude done? A shopping complex at Sango — still under construction and an immunisation campaign. That’s all. Meanwhile, huge sums have been coming in monthly as FAAC allocations. The people deserve accountability,” Oluwalade said.
The allegations come against the backdrop of conflicting claims over the management of FAAC funds in Ondo State. While some local government chairmen had earlier cried out that they were left with only ₦4 million to run their councils, the Ondo State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), led by Hon. Gbenga Fasua, countered, insisting that council bosses are in full control of their finances and are already executing visible grassroots projects across the state. Fasua even cited road construction, water supply schemes, and vehicle procurements as evidence of prudent use of allocations.
But critics in Akure North argue that such claims of performance do not reflect the reality in their locality. Community leaders and youth groups maintain that there are no visible roads, water projects, or essential services to justify the hundreds of millions allegedly received by the council since February. “If other LGs can point to tangible projects, what exactly is Akure North pointing to? The truth is that people here are still living without basic services,” a youth leader in Oba-Ile remarked.
Engr. Oluwalade warned that unless Hon. Ogunbolude provides a transparent financial statement within the next four weeks detailing how FAAC allocations have been utilised, the network would not hesitate to escalate the matter to national anti-graft agencies.“Hon Johnson Ogunbolude must provide a transparent financial statement detailing every kobo of the ₦2.95 billion in FAAC funds received since February. If he cannot do so within the next four weeks, I will assemble a legal team and petition the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to investigate potential misappropriation.” he declared.
He further argued that President Bola Tinubu’s push for grassroots governance through local government autonomy would be defeated if council bosses fail to demonstrate responsibility in managing their resources. “This is not about politics; it is about accountability. The Supreme Court has affirmed autonomy, and ALGON has boasted of visible progress. Why is Akure North an exception?” he asked.
The unfolding development has heightened tension in Akure North, with residents demanding to know where seven months of FAAC allocations have gone. As Oluwalade put it bluntly: “The era of silence is over. If the chairman has done well, let him open his books. If not, Akure North youths will ensure accountability, no matter how long it takes.”
