Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State issued a stern warning on Thursday to local government officials, cautioning them against dropping his name to perpetrate illegal activities or fraudulent schemes.

The governor emphasized the importance of transparency and disclosed an incident where local government officials allegedly deducted N1 million from funds allocated for Christmas celebrations, falsely claiming it was intended for the governor.

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Governor Oyebanji clarified, “I didn’t ask anybody to deduct any money for me. I didn’t ask anybody to bring any money to me. I have made a covenant with God to be transparent; such will not happen under me. I am not going to touch your money, but I won’t allow you to spend it recklessly.” He urged anyone with concerns or reports of such activities to contact him promptly.

The governor addressed the issue during the flagging off of a three-day retreat organized by the state’s Ministry of Local Government Affairs. The retreat brought together council chairmen and other top officials from the 38 local government areas and local council development areas in Ekiti State.

Governor Oyebanji reassured the newly inaugurated local government officials that his administration would not divert or touch allocations designated for them from the federation accounts. He warned against the misuse of his name for fraudulent activities, stating that anyone caught engaging in such acts would face legal consequences.

During the retreat, the governor urged the council chairmen to be participatory, consulting widely with communities to execute projects beneficial to the people and with a direct impact on the masses. He emphasized the importance of responsibility and making a positive difference in the lives of the people.

The Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Folorunso Olabode, highlighted the strategic role of the local government in the developmental plans of Ekiti State. A resource person at the event, Senator Olubunmi Adetumbi, emphasized the retreat’s purpose of building a framework for effective partnership between the state and local governments to ensure citizens receive value for their money.