Table of Contents
- Reason for Suspension
- Allegations Against Omolayo
- Financial Autonomy Issues
- Leaked Message
- Council Funding Discrepancies
- Omolayo's Response
The reason for the suspension of Tope Omolayo, the Chairman of Owo Local Government Area in Ondo State, by 11 Councillors has come to light.
According to multiple sources, Omolayo's alleged misconduct involved whistleblowing against the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa regarding the distribution formula of FAAC allocations to local governments within the state.
The council, facing significant turmoil, suspended him by a two-thirds majority for alleged gross misconduct and financial impropriety.
A high-ranking government official stated that Omolayo was identified as the individual who raised concerns that Aiyedatiwa was restricting the funds available to council chairmen, providing only N4 million monthly instead of the expected N500 million allocation.
It has been noted that some local government chairmen disclosed that each council is entitled to a monthly allocation of N500 million from FAAC, emphasizing that this shortfall has severely impacted their ability to operate effectively.
They asserted that despite the Supreme Court's ruling in July 2024 granting financial autonomy to local governments, Aiyedatiwa has continued to disregard this order.
Investigations revealed a leaked WhatsApp message in which Omolayo allegedly confirmed the government's actions, causing embarrassment and anger within the Aiyedatiwa administration.
One anonymous source commented, “Yes, it’s true. Omolayo was suspended for his audacity in confirming the amount the local government chairmen have been receiving in the state.
“Forget the accusations from the Councillors; he is being punished by the very person who initially supported his candidacy. It wasn't the Governor who gave him the chairmanship ticket, but a very influential cabinet member.
“In June 2025, Owo LG received N540,570,975.08, while in May it was N513,384,393.81, yet Aiyedatiwa is only releasing less than N5 million to the council. Other councils are in the same predicament,” our source stated.
Omolayo has, however, maintained that his suspension is politically motivated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What led to the suspension of Tope Omolayo?
Tope Omolayo was suspended by 11 Councillors due to allegations of gross misconduct and financial impropriety, particularly related to his whistleblowing on the Governor's handling of FAAC allocations.
What was the reaction to the alleged financial discrepancies?
Local government chairmen expressed that the Governor's allocation of N4 million monthly instead of the expected N500 million has significantly hindered their operations, despite a Supreme Court ruling granting them financial autonomy.
What does Omolayo say about his suspension?
Omolayo argues that his suspension is politically motivated and claims that his actions were in the interest of transparency regarding the funds allocated to local governments.
