The President and Founder of the YAPI Foundation, Ambassador Olayemi Paul, has urged the 20 Local Government Chairmen in Ogun State to place grassroots development above personal benefits, following the recent distribution of Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) to council chairmen by the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun.
In a statement released on Thursday, Ambassador Paul described the governor’s gesture as “commendable,” noting that it reflects appreciation and goodwill toward the chairmen. He congratulated the beneficiaries but cautioned that such generosity must not become a basis for compromise, silence, or abandonment of constitutional responsibilities.
“The gift of an SUV should never cloud judgment or weaken the resolve of local government leaders to defend the interests of their councils,” Paul stated. “Development, transparency, and accountability must always come first.”
The YAPI President recalled the controversial removal of the former Ijebu East Local Government Chairman, Mr. Wale Adedayo, in September 2023, after he publicly accused the state government of diverting statutory federal allocations meant for the 20 local governments. While stressing that the matter remains part of public discourse and controversy, Paul noted that other chairmen at the time chose silence rather than confrontation.
He further referenced a viral skit titled “EWOLE FUN AGBA, AGBA NI GBANI,” which featured several council chairmen and was widely interpreted by members of the public as a show of loyalty to the state government. According to him, such actions risk being misunderstood as political compliance at the expense of the people’s welfare.
Ambassador Paul reminded the chairmen of the Nigerian President’s public directive that state governors must comply with court rulings and ensure that local government allocations are paid directly to the councils. He emphasized that these funds are critical for grassroots development and the delivery of essential services at the local level.
“If, at the end of your tenure, your local government cannot point to tangible development because you chose silence or embraced the ‘all is well’ syndrome, then the responsibility rests squarely on your shoulders,” he warned. “History will hold you accountable for every naira allocated to your council.”
While clarifying that there is nothing inherently wrong with accepting a gift from the governor, Paul stressed that such gestures must never become tools for manipulation or enforced loyalty. He cautioned against any form of “padi-padi” arrangement that could undermine the independence of local governments or weaken service delivery.
“I pray that this gift does not hinder development or compromise the conscience of any chairman,” he said. “Leadership demands courage, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the people.”
Despite his strong cautionary message, Ambassador Paul expressed gratitude to Governor Dapo Abiodun for the gesture, describing it as thoughtful, and offered prayers for divine reward and fulfillment of the governor’s aspirations.
The statement, signed by Ambassador Olayemi Paul, Founder and National President of the YAPI Foundation, has since sparked discussions among political observers and civil society groups, many of whom view it as a timely reminder of the critical role local government leaders play in driving development at the grassroots level.
