Photo File: Hon. Wale Adedayo

Former Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, Hon. Wale Adedayo has described Governor Dapo Abiodun as “visionless” and warned that he may be among governors who could go to jail if President Bola Tinubu secures a second term, over allegations of diverting local government funds.

In an exclusive interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5FM, the former chairman, who is currently facing trial before the Chief Magistrate Court in Abeokuta following his controversial removal from office, accused the Ogun State government of withholding allocations meant for the local councils and crippling grassroots development.

“Politics. The President wants a second term. Once he gets it, at least ten governors will go to jail for mismanaging local government funds,” he said. When asked if that included the Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, he replied, “Yes. Any state not giving money to local governments should be ready.”

Adedayo argued that the continued seizure of local government funds by state governors has weakened the delivery of basic amenities such as roads, water, and schools, while deepening poverty and unemployment. According to him, democracy cannot thrive when funds meant for the people are hoarded at the state level.

The ex-chairman did not mince words about what he called the failure of leadership in Ogun State, accusing Governor Abiodun of lacking direction and vision. “We have a visionless government. By now, if the government had vision, there should be at least four or five cocoa processing factories in that local government. The sense is not there. For God’s sake, you are taking cocoa from here, exporting it something that should be providing jobs for your people. We could be producing chocolate here on our own,” he said.

Adedayo dismissed claims of ongoing industrialization in the state, saying there is little evidence of industries in Ijebu, Ijebu Igbo, Waterside, or Odogbolu. He also mocked the practice of traveling abroad in search of investors. “If you must travel abroad to look for investors in this rural environment, then your brain needs to be examined. If I become governor today, I will call together the faculties of agriculture from Tai Solarin University of Education, Olabisi Onabanjo University, and the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. I will ask them for an action plan within two weeks.”

He lamented that Ogun State, particularly the Ijebu area, possesses the largest deposit of bitumen and crude oil in Nigeria, yet successive governments have failed to explore these resources for development. “Since Gbenga Daniel’s time, not one government has tried to exploit it. And you say somebody is going to China? They are going there to make their own money and spend money, not to benefit the state.”

Adedayo recalled how the Dangote refinery project, originally meant for Ogun State, was diverted to Epe, Lagos, describing it as a monumental loss caused by short-sighted leadership. “Dangote ought to start here, but I understand it was a committee from the Amosun government that recommended that Dangote should be chased away. Look at the level of employment that would have been created here. The polytechnic on the other side was set up to service the petrochemical industry that was supposed to be here. They killed it.”

He said such blunders were the product of poor vision and selfish politics. “The same people that I want to promote to the Senate are back. I beg you to leave that matter. God is still alive, and we are here to do His bidding. We will not support failure.”

The former chairman reaffirmed his loyalty to the All Progressives Congress, despite his impeachment, describing Otunba Gbenga Daniel as his political leader and mentor. “He remains our leader whatever happens. The suspension they announced is hogwash. Some people are trying to destroy the party while pretending to help it.”

He claimed Daniel’s suspension was politically motivated, alleging that Governor Abiodun was trying to edge him out ahead of the 2027 elections. “The governor wants to go for Senate while Daniel also wants a second term. In terms of popularity in Ogun East, you cannot compare both.”

Reflecting on his impeachment, Adedayo said his removal was the result of his outspokenness about corruption and the diversion of funds meant for the local governments. He explained that he and a few other council chairmen jointly prepared a private letter to the government, which was later leaked by a journalist. “Since my name was on it, I could not deny it. I have no regrets because the intention was to alert our leaders to act.”

He likened whistleblowing to journalism, saying both serve the same purpose in strengthening democracy. “In a democracy, informed decision-making is the foundation. The electorate must be properly informed before making decisions. Those who expose hidden information are helping democracy to thrive.”

He added that during his time as a journalist, he criticized politicians who failed to deliver on promises, so it would have been hypocritical to do the same when he got into office. “You just have to walk your talk. What you say you believe in, you must practice when you get there.”

According to Adedayo, most of his colleagues in the local government system were too afraid to speak up for fear of losing their positions. “People get scared, they do not want to lose their jobs. But at the end of the day, are they not out of office now?”

He said he acted out of conscience and faith, quoting a hadith that reminds believers that every second of life is a bonus. “Even if you give me ten billion dollars now, what if I die the next second? Will I take that money to my grave?”

He recalled his days as an activist during the Babangida and Abacha regimes, saying that many journalists were arrested or killed for speaking the truth. “For me, background matters. I cannot sacrifice truth because I want to be chairman for three years. What will I tell God when I die?”

Adedayo stressed that development cannot happen until local governments are truly autonomous. “Whatever you do at the center, if the local government is not working, you are wasting your time. The closest government to the people is the local government.” He argued that Nigeria’s insecurity and unemployment crises could be solved through empowered councils. “It is not Abuja that will secure small towns. Once local communities are empowered, crime will drop.”

He compared Nigeria’s system to that of the United States, saying that the mayor of New York is essentially a local government chairman, proving that development begins from the grassroots.

As a proud son of Ijebu, he expressed his support for the creation of Ijebu State and predicted rapid development if it becomes a reality. “If we have Ijebu State today, within twenty years Lagos will be looking at us in front. Within five years, people from Oyo and Ondo will be calling us big brother.”

He highlighted the historical strength of the Ijebu people, recalling that they fought the British army in 1892 and were central to trade in Yorubaland. “We have a coastline and were the middlemen to all Yoruba groups. That is why our houses are unique, and that is why other Yorubas are either scared of us or envious.”

He admitted that some people were working against the Ijebu State agenda, but said that was normal. “Even Jesus had twelve disciples and one became a traitor. We must have our own Judas.”

He dismissed claims that the Ijebus have been marginalized in Ogun State. “If things are not happening in Ijebu, we should talk to our House of Assembly members and commissioners. The Secretary to the State Government and the Commissioner for Finance are Ijebu men. So who is marginalizing us?” He urged residents to hold their leaders accountable instead of blaming outsiders. “If we are not getting what we deserve, people should go to the houses of those representing us and ask questions.”

The former chairman concluded that Ogun State’s progress has been stunted by corruption, fear, and lack of vision. He called for bold leadership, transparency, and a return to community-driven development. “Until we appreciate what local government truly means, we will remain where we are. Once the President enforces local government autonomy, many governors will have to face the law.”