Politics

2021 Budget: Ogun Will Rely More On IGR, Says Gov. Dapo Abiodun

Published

6 years ago

November 2, 2020

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun says his administration would in the coming year rely more on the state’s Internally Generated Revenue as its primary source of financing its budget before any other source.

His administration, the governor said, would be mindful of the need to avoid unnecessary tax burden on its citizens.

Prince Abiodun who made this known at the virtual consultative meeting with the representatives of the people of Ogun East Senatorial District in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta on the 2021-2023 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and 2021 budget, urged the people of the state to continue to support the present administration in the state by discharging their civic duties.

“Despite the steep declines in revenues from the Federation Account, we shall rely more on our internally generated revenue from Ogun State Internal Revenue Service, (OGIRS) and other revenue sources. In this regard, we have strengthened the OGIRS, including recent appointment of a seasoned professional as the Chairman.

“Whilst being mindful of the need to avoid unnecessary tax burden on our citizens, we appeal to them to continue to support us by discharging their civic duties in our joint task of building the state of our future together, we shall continue to give utmost priority to capital project investments in Education, Health, and Infrastructure Sectors,” he said.

The Governor who also noted that his administration would continue to sustain payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities within limited resources, said that his administration would continue to carry out downward review of overhead expenses at reasonable percentage against revenue generation prospects of Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the State.

Abiodun while noting that the recent payment of the new minimum wage was in line with the agreement reached with labour, urged the labour unions in the state to be considerate in their demands at a time government was also struggling with finances.

He said the Government will give utmost priority to education, health, agriculture and road Infrastructure, as it prepares for next year’s budget.

Abiodun pointed out that his administration would be proactive in the coming year by latching on this years’ experience to improve on service delivery, revenue drive and public private partnership.

The Governor decried the negative impact of the Covid-19 to the economy of the State. He informed that the current year’s budget was reviewed downward from N450bn to N280bn in consonance with the economic realities in the wake of the pandemic, adding that 20% of the 2020 Revised Appropriation was, understandably, allocated to the Health Sector.

“To give life to businesses, various reliefs were given to business owners as part of palliative measures to assist them cope with the economic slide and ensure business continuity. These relief packages include 6- month extension of the 2019 income tax returns deadline for self-employed residents from March 31, 2020 to September 30, 2020.

“We also granted an 8-month extension of filing of 2019 annual PAYE returns by PAYE operators/tax agents from January 31, 2020 to September 30, as well as complete waiver of interest and penalty for late filing for the extension period”, the Governor explained.

He said the hosting of the town hall meeting was a symbolic approach of inclusiveness, fairness, justice, equity and respect to the rule of law for which the Government policies are known.

Prince Abiodun, while enumerating some of the roads constructed by his administration said, they include Awa – Iloaporu-Ibadan Express Road, Hospital Road, Sagamu, Bright Fashion Baruwa street, Sagamu, Ijebu Ode-Epe, Sagamu-Ore Interchange Flyover in Ijebu-Ode-Odogbolu LG, Molipa -Fusigboye -Ojofa Street, among others, adding that hospitals, especially primary healthcare centres, schools and other infrastructure projects were also given due attention.

“We will continue to sustain payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities within the limited resources. It is instructive that we have commenced the payment of new minimum wage in October, to demonstrate our commitment to workers’ welfare. We expect them in turn to reciprocate this gesture with improved productivity and service delivery”, he said.

While pledging to carry out downward review of overhead expenses with reasonable percentage against revenue generation prospects of each MDA in the State, the Governor maintained that the gathering would cross-fertilize ideas for the preparation of a more viable Year 2021 Budget that would ensure individual prosperity and improved economy of the State.

He called on the people to contribute and take maximum advantage of the platform to express their views, assuring that their comments, recommendations, proposals, feedback would be adequately and appropriately considered for the preparation of the Year 2021 budget.

Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Budget Planning, Hon. Olaolu Olabimtan, said the aim of the administration was to eliminate poverty in the State. He lauded the people for their valuable support which has led to tremendous improvement on various sectors.

The Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo, in his remark, described this year as the most challenging on the economy of the State, noting that Government would look inward for quick recovery of all sectors.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Governor’s Elders Advisory Council, Chief Oluneye Okuboyejo while calling on the state government to help farmers in the Ogun East Senatorial district on issues relating to land ownership and encroachment, said that the issues had made it difficult for farmers in the area to think of expanding their farms.

“The government is doing well in the area of agriculture, the problem of land ownership for agriculture is a key issue, in Eriwe and all the farms we have around the local government, we have problems of land ownership because our farmers want to expand, even where we exist, encroachment is not helping the stakeholders at all, help us to solve them,” he said.

The elder statesman while commending the state government on efforts to improve the infrastructure of the state, urged the state government to pay more emphasis on Government Reservation Areas (GRA).

“I want to commend the Government for touching not only the rural areas, but the cities that have been neglected for over eight years, in year 2021, a little emphasis should continue to be placed on infrastructure. This time around, I want to plead that in looking at infrastructure, concentration should not just be given to city roads, rural roads, but the reservation areas, I mean the government reservation areas(GRA’s), the road networks in some of this places, particularly the one that I know, are not too good,” he said.

Okuboyejo applauded government in the areas of education, particularly in the areas of ICT and Youth Empowerment, urged the state government to place more emphasis on ICT and Youth Empowerment in the 2021 budget.

The chairperson, Ogun State Chapter of the Association of Women Entrepreneurs, Mrs. Olude Oluwakemi and her counterpart in the Women Support and Care Initiative, Dr. (Mrs.) Omolara Quadri called on the state government to give more emphasis to women empowerment in the state by building their capacity.

Some of the participants which included youth and women groups, religious leaders, elder statesmen and women and Labour leaders, who contributed at the meeting, called for the creation of more jobs, execution of more capital projects and empowerment of the youth and women in the coming fiscal year.

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Politics

Bola Fisayo Emerged as APC flagbearer for Ondo EAST-WEST Federal Constituency.

Published

3 minutes ago

May 16, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Bola Fisayo Emerged as APC flagbearer for Ondo EAST-WEST Federal Constituency.

Otunba Bola Fisayo has been declared winner of APC primary election held across the 22 wards of the Federal Constituency.

Announcing the results, the returning office Dr. André Akuche declared Otunba Bola Fisayo the winner having scored a total vote of 12,783 votes, Otunba Ade Adeniyi scored a total vote of 3,128 coming second while Hon. Abiola Makinde scored a total vote of 1,052 and Dr. Michael Akintomide Ajilo scored a total vote of 1011.

The total valid vote cast was 17974

Dr. Jibayo Adeyeye one of the Aspirants had earlier withdrawn from the race.

Otunba Bola Fisayo appreciated the party members for the mandate given to him and assured the party that unprecedented and adequate representation will be guaranteed in the federal constituency.

Politics

Huge Turnout As Obasa Secures House of Reps Ticket

Published

3 hours ago

May 16, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Huge Turnout As Obasa Secures House of Reps Ticket

A massive crowd of party faithful thronged Agege on Saturday, May 16, as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, secured his place as the All Progressives Congress (APC) consensus candidate for the Agege Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives.

The hitch-free primary exercise saw card-carrying members in their numbers validate his candidacy, underscoring the strength of his grassroots support.

The development comes just days after Obasa’s May 13 declaration at a stakeholders’ meeting in Agege, where he announced his ambition to contest for the federal seat.

At that earlier event, he explained that his decision was driven by calls from party leaders and stakeholders who believed he could serve Agege more effectively at the national level.

“I answered the call of our leaders and stakeholders who believe I can serve Agege better. We must present candidates with capacity, loyalty, and commitment to the progress of Agege,” Obasa had said.

At the primary election, Obasa expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from his constituency.

“I am deeply humbled by the confidence reposed in me by our leaders and members. Today’s validation is not just about me; it is about our collective resolve to continue building Agege and Lagos State on the foundation of progress and development,” he remarked.

He further pledged to remain people-focused in his representation: “My commitment has always been to serve with integrity, to amplify the voices of our people, and to ensure that Agege continues to stand tall in the comity of constituencies. This validation strengthens my resolve to deliver more dividends of democracy.”

Party officials praised the peaceful conduct of the exercise, noting that it reflected the unity and discipline within the APC in Agege.

Observers also pointed to Obasa’s earlier endorsement of Hon. Ganiyu Egunjobi for Agege Constituency I and Hon. Azeez Oladapo Yusuf Ninolowo for Agege Constituency II as evidence of his broader strategy to consolidate party cohesion.

With the primary now concluded, Obasa is set to fly the APC flag in the forthcoming general election, a move that many believe will further entrench the party’s influence in Agege.

Politics

Ajadi Backs PDP–APM Alliance, Expresses Confidence in Oyo Central Senate Victory

Published

2 days ago

May 15, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Ajadi Backs PDP–APM Alliance, Expresses Confidence in Oyo Central Senate Victory

The senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) alliance for Oyo Central Senatorial District, Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has described the newly formed political alliance between the two parties in Ibadan as a major step toward strengthening democratic participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He spoke on Thursday at Mapo Hall shortly after the political gathering where Seyi Makinde declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election and unveiled the alliance between the PDP and APM.

Addressing journalists at the event, Ajadi said the coalition signaled renewed hope for democracy and political inclusiveness in Oyo State, noting that the partnership had energized supporters across the state.

According to him, the alliance was not only strategic for electoral success but also a demonstration that democratic values would prevail despite political uncertainties.

“To tell the general public that today’s alliance with APM party with PDP is a great one because when they planned all their plans believing that democracy will not exist, but God has made every possible best to make a provision,” Ajadi said.

He added that the visible turnout at the rally reflected the acceptance of the coalition among residents and supporters throughout the state.

“That is the reason you can see the nook and cranny of Oyo State that everyone is well happy because democracy must remain,” he said.

The event attracted thousands of party faithful, political stakeholders and supporters from across Oyo State, marking one of the earliest major political gatherings linked to the 2027 election cycle in the South-West.

Ajadi, who is seeking to represent Oyo Central in the Senate, also used the occasion to restate his confidence in securing victory at the polls, saying his political ambition was rooted in service and a commitment to deliver meaningful representation.

“My aspiration is total victory because I know what I have for my people and my people know me very well,” he said.

He promised that if elected, he would demonstrate effective legislative leadership and practical representation that would directly benefit constituents across the senatorial district.

“By the grace of God when I assume the office of the Senate, I will demonstrate what it takes to show the general public that there is capacity, and I will definitely show it,” Ajadi added.

Political analysts say the emerging partnership between the PDP and APM in Oyo could alter the configuration of alliances in the state ahead of 2027, especially as discussions intensify over succession politics and opposition realignments.

The alliance announcement came as Governor Seyi Makinde formally entered the presidential race, a move that may further elevate Oyo’s influence in national political calculations as parties begin early consultations toward the next general election.