There is palpable disagreement between the Ekiti State government and the Opeyemi Falegan Foundation (ODF) over the distribution of federal palliatives and the use of state funds.
The NGO has accused the state government of mismanaging federal resources meant to cushion the effects of the recent fuel subsidy removal, sparking a heated debate.
The founder of ODF, Opeyemi David Falegan issued a recent statement expressed concern over the worsening living conditions in Ekiti.
Falegan alleged that federal palliatives, including 20 trucks of 25kg bags of rice intended for the most vulnerable citizens, had not reached those in need. He also questioned the state’s handling of the N6.5 billion federal allocation for June 2024.
“We are deeply worried about the plight of the poor in Ekiti,” Falegan stated. “Despite the increasing federal allocations and promised palliatives, the conditions of the people continue to deteriorate.”
In response, the Ekiti State Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, dismissed the allegations, describing Falegan as an “attention-seeking individual” out of touch with reality. Olatunbosun defended the government’s transparency, citing accolades from Transparency International as evidence of their prudent management.
“The Biodun Oyebanji administration has nothing to hide,” Olatunbosun asserted. “Details of the state’s monthly allocations are publicly available on the government’s official website. Only those blinded by political bias would fail to see the positive changes happening across Ekiti.”
As the dispute intensifies, the people of Ekiti watch closely, eager to see if their leaders can rise above the controversy and deliver the relief they so desperately need.
