Amid rising agitation in Ifelodun Local Council Development Area (LCDA) over the alleged disparity in the disbursement of election funds at the recent local government election, a former Executive Chairman of the council and ex-member of the National Assembly, Hon. Taiwo Adenekan, has dismissed claims that the development could negatively affect political mobilisation or electoral outcomes in the area.
Speaking with our correspondent, Adenekan described the continuous criticisms trailing the reported allocation of ₦75,000 per polling unit in the Ifelodun total number of 284 polling units as against the ₦ 200,000 plus given in Ajeromi local government area and other local governments as misplaced, stressing that election funding is guided by peculiar strategies and operational realities in each local government rather than uniform figures.
According to him, “Election funding does not go the same way everywhere. There are peculiarities in every local government, and different disbursement models are adopted to achieve results. In some places, funds are channeled strictly through polling units; in others, selected leaders who influence multiple polling units are empowered to mobilise effectively.”
He maintained that the most important factor in any electioneering process is the outcome, noting that the results recorded in Ifelodun were among the best in the council’s history. “The figures we got were excellent. That alone justifies the strategy adopted,” he said.
Adenekan further disclosed that beyond funds released from the state, the local government also spent substantial resources on security arrangements, engagement of local youths, and other logistics to ensure a smooth and successful exercise.
“Those shouting foul are largely misinformed,” he stated. “Many of them were not even present when the funds were distributed. The money was not sent to them. The state entrusted the council chairman with the responsibility based on his credibility and judgment. When some of them took their complaints to the state, they were told the truth, but they did not return to brief the people accordingly.”
Beyond the election fund issue, the former council boss reflected on his seven-year tenure as Executive Chairman of Ifelodun LCDA, describing human capital development as the cornerstone of his administration.
“I give all glory and thanks to God Almighty for His guidance throughout my time as chairman,” Adenekan said. “My guiding principle was human capital development, and I pursued it relentlessly. I did not believe in empowerment by proxy. I personally identified individuals who genuinely needed support, especially women involved in petty trading, and assisted them with funds to expand their businesses.”
He noted that many of the beneficiaries experienced lasting growth in their enterprises, adding that his administration also extended support to their children through the provision of school uniforms, bags, desks, and benches.
On infrastructure, Adenekan said his administration deliberately avoided engaging external contractors, opting instead to execute projects through party members and local artisans.
“The council secretariat and roads developed during my tenure were handled by party members,” he explained. “This ensured that funds allocated to the council circulated within the local economy. Welders, carpenters, and other artisans were fully engaged, and unemployment was reduced.”
He added that idle youths were encouraged to work for their earnings. “Nobody was given money for doing nothing. If there was no formal job, people were asked to clear drainage and were paid accordingly. That was how money retained its value.”
Asked what he would have done differently if he were chairman today, Adenekan said he would simply scale up his previous initiatives, noting that local governments now receive significantly higher allocations.
“The funds available today cannot be compared with what we had then,” he said. “If these resources are properly deployed, no local government should complain of lack of jobs, food, or development. The money is enormous and should address many of these challenges.”
Commenting on the emerging political rivalry ahead of the 2027 Lagos State House of Assembly election involving Hon. Lukman Saad Olumoh and Alhaji Fatai Ajidagba, Adenekan assured residents that the leadership would manage the situation in a way that preserves unity in the LCDA.
He cautioned against overreliance on social media narratives, which he described as often misleading, and stressed that leaders would manage the situation responsibly to ensure peace at the end of the day.
“Our goal is for us to speak with one voice and present one candidate,” he said. “Whoever emerges will be someone the leadership agrees is capable of representing the people effectively,” noting that while internal political processes might initially be tense, peace will prevail.
“We have done this before, it may be hot at first, even hotter, but once leaders intervene, it cools down, he said, adding that “the people trust our judgment and we will be objective, take no sides, and at the end of the day, the process will be concluded peacefully”.
Adenekan assured the people of Ifelodun that there would be no fallout, noting that while internal political processes might initially be tense, consensus would ultimately prevail.
