Forum Of Former Aspirants Calls For EFCC, ICPC Probe Of Burutu Council Chairman Over Alleged N23.7 Billion Financial Mismanagement
By Dr. Odimientimi Agbedeyi | Global Egberi Media International Ltd
Political tension appears to be building in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State following a call by a forum of former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship aspirants for a comprehensive investigation into the financial administration of the council under its Chairman, Mr. Julius Takeme.
The group, comprising 20 former aspirants who participated in the 2024 Burutu Local Government chairmanship contest, has raised concerns over the management of funds accruing to the council from July 15, 2024, through the 2025 and 2026 fiscal years.
In a statement signed on behalf of the group by Hon. Jude Angodideke, Hon. Paul Oruma, Hon. Duncan Tamaradoubra Forcados, Chief Godspower Tomone, Hon. Chief Lucky Feizy Oweimieotu, Hon. Stephen Eniekezimene and Hon. Comrade Ozobo Austin, the former aspirants called for greater accountability and transparency in the administration of the council.
The allegations contained in the statement include claims of financial recklessness, inadequate development and failure to provide sufficient public accountability for substantial revenues reportedly received by Burutu Local Government Council.
N23.7 Billion Claim: Group Demands Accountability
At the centre of the controversy is the group’s claim that Burutu Local Government received or had access to more than N23.7 billion in allocations and other revenues covering the period under review.
The former aspirants specifically pointed to an alleged N8.7 billion allocation in the 2025 fiscal year and a projected or budgeted figure of approximately N15 billion for 2026.
They further alleged that substantial funds were received between July and December 2024, before the 2025 budget period, and questioned how such resources were utilized.
According to the group, the figures cited do not include other possible revenue streams such as internally generated revenue, subsidy-related funds, excess crude-related receipts and other revenues associated with the council.
The former aspirants therefore want the relevant authorities to establish the actual amounts received by the council, the purposes for which the funds were appropriated and whether expenditures complied with applicable financial regulations.
“Where Is The Money?”
The group expressed frustration over what it described as the absence of commensurate development across communities in the riverine local government area.
They raised concerns about the condition of schools, communal roads, healthcare facilities, access to potable water, youth employment and empowerment programmes, as well as the impact of flooding on communities.
The former aspirants questioned how substantial public resources could reportedly be available while many communities continue to face basic infrastructure challenges.
They also raised concerns about the ongoing development of the new council secretariat and legislative complex, arguing that the level of work visible at the project sites, in their assessment, does not justify expenditure approaching the figures they believe may have been spent.
These claims, however, remain allegations by the group and would require verification through official financial records, audit reports, procurement documents and other relevant evidence.
Demand For Financial Disclosure
A major aspect of the group’s complaint is its demand for a comprehensive account of the revenues received and expenditures incurred by the council.
The former aspirants alleged that information concerning the council’s finances has not been sufficiently made available to stakeholders and claimed that elected councillors have faced difficulties obtaining financial information.
They argued that transparency in local government administration is essential, particularly where public funds are involved.
According to the group, Burutu’s peculiar geographical circumstances make effective management of public resources even more important.
As a predominantly riverine local government area, Burutu faces challenges relating to flooding, transportation, road access, healthcare delivery, education, youth unemployment and the provision of basic infrastructure.
The group therefore contended that available public resources should translate into measurable improvements in the lives of residents.
Call For EFCC, ICPC And Assembly Investigation
The former aspirants called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to examine the financial affairs of Burutu Local Government.
They also appealed to the Delta State House of Assembly to exercise its oversight responsibilities and investigate the allegations.
The group wants the relevant authorities to examine the council’s financial records from July 15, 2024, through the 2025 and 2026 fiscal periods, including statutory allocations, internally generated revenue and other funds allegedly received by the council.
Such an investigation, if undertaken, would be expected to establish the actual revenues received, approved budgets, procurement processes, payments made, projects executed and the extent to which public expenditure complied with relevant laws and financial regulations.
Appeal To Governor Oborevwori
The former aspirants also appealed to Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to intervene in the dispute.
They urged the governor to create an avenue for dialogue with stakeholders and, where appropriate, ensure that concerns regarding the administration of Burutu Local Government are addressed through established legal and institutional mechanisms.
The group maintained that political differences should not prevent stakeholders from demanding accountability in the management of public resources.
Threat Of Mass Action
The former aspirants warned that failure to address their concerns could lead them to mobilize residents and stakeholders for mass action.
They said they were also contemplating what they described as a major political move, which they claimed could have consequences for the chairman and the ruling political structure in the area.
However, the group did not disclose the specific nature of the proposed political action.
While public protest and political engagement are legitimate components of democratic participation, stakeholders will be expected to ensure that any such action remains peaceful and within the boundaries of the law.
Why The Allegations Require Independent Verification
The allegations contained in the statement are serious because they concern the administration and expenditure of public funds.
However, allegations of financial misappropriation should not be treated as established facts until they are independently investigated and supported by credible evidence.
An objective review would require access to Burutu Local Government’s approved budgets, monthly allocations, bank and payment records, audited financial statements, procurement documents, project contracts, certificates of completion, internally generated revenue records and other relevant financial documents.
The appropriate anti-corruption and oversight institutions are better positioned to determine whether there were violations of financial regulations, procurement laws or other applicable statutes.
It is also important that the council chairman and the Burutu Local Government administration be given an opportunity to respond to the allegations and present their own records and explanations.
A Test For Local Government Accountability
The controversy has once again brought the question of transparency and accountability in local government administration to the forefront.
For residents of Burutu, the fundamental issue is not merely the political disagreement between former aspirants and the incumbent administration. It is whether public resources are being managed in a manner that produces tangible benefits for the people.
If the figures cited by the former aspirants are accurate, the scale of the resources involved makes accountability particularly important. Conversely, if the allegations are inaccurate or exaggerated, transparent disclosure of the council’s financial records would provide an opportunity to correct the public narrative.
Either way, openness remains essential.
Burutu residents deserve to know how much money their local government receives, how those funds are budgeted, what projects are being executed, how much each project costs and whether the projects deliver value for money.
Conclusion
The allegations against the Julius Takeme-led administration are yet to be established by any competent investigative or judicial authority. They should therefore be understood as claims made by the Forum of Former PDP Chairmanship Aspirants and not as proven findings of financial misconduct.
The call for an investigation by the EFCC, ICPC and the Delta State House of Assembly now places the matter within the broader conversation about transparency, accountability and responsible management of public resources.
An independent and credible review of the council’s finances could ultimately serve the interests of all parties—residents, stakeholders, the council administration and the wider public.
For Burutu, a local government confronted by significant developmental and environmental challenges, what matters most is ensuring that every naira belonging to the people is properly accounted for and translated into meaningful development.
Global Egberi Media International Ltd will continue to monitor developments surrounding the allegations and will provide space for relevant authorities and the Burutu Local Government administration to respond to the issues raised.
Source
Congress News
Reported By
Dr. Odimientimi Agbedeyi
Global Egberi Media International Ltd
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