A letter addressed to the local councils stated: “Distinguished HOLGAs, Your Excellency the Acting Governor of Ondo State had directed that all spending/expenditure from local government accounts should be suspended. No signing of cheques, no change of signatories, no withdrawal of any sort until further directive. Please adhere strictly to instruction and be guided.”

Expressing concern over this development, a caretaker chairman, speaking on condition of anonymity, conveyed the unease felt within the local government offices. “Yes, he has blocked the accounts of the local governments. We don’t know why he’s doing that now,” the official revealed.

In a related announcement, the Acting Governor has designated his Deputy Chief of Staff, Omojuwa Olusegun, to oversee the preparation and signing of his official engagements temporarily. A letter signed by Omojuwa and addressed to members of the State Executive Council and top government functionaries conveyed this directive.

As the local government authorities grapple with the financial freeze, questions arise about the reasons behind this decision and its potential implications for governance in Ondo State.