The crisis in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State has taken a new dimension as the Leader of the Legislative House, Hon. Taofeeq Azeez, has threatened punitive action against councilors who petitioned the state government over alleged mismanagement and abuse of office by the council chairman, Engr. Akeem Olatunji.
Hon. Azeez dismissed the petition by the aggrieved lawmakers as “a shameful macabre dance orchestrated by individuals driven by greed and a get-rich-quick syndrome.”
However, he also issued a stern warning that “even though there are punitive measures against such action by any member, House will overlook it but will not repeat such leniency in the event of a repeat of such disrespect for institutional order and leadership.”
The petitioners had accused Chairman Olatunji of expending funds without legislative approval, replacing existing workers with loyalists in the state’s adhoc employment scheme, and engaging in unauthorized land allocation schemes at Toll-Gate, Esu Oso, and Alomoja areas. They also alleged political sidelining and irregularities in empowerment programmes and festive allocations.
But in his statement, the House Leader did not address any of the specific issues raised in the petition. Instead, he blamed “masked individuals” and unnamed political actors for instigating the dissent.
“We are also not unaware of certain masked individuals who are supposed to be the guiding light and mentors but who are indeed the instigators,” Azeez alleged.
He further claimed the petition lacked merit because the legislative council had not deliberated on the allegations internally.
“The Oyo State Local Government Law is very clear on how a petition may be issued… We have not discussed any issue mentioned in their petition at the council at any point to warrant any action requiring the attention of the House of Assembly,” he stated.
“This is not just about defending the chairman,” a senior political aide in the council, who pleaded anonymity, told Naija News Hub. “This is a case of deliberate suppression of legislative oversight.”
The unfolding events have cast doubt over the legislative council’s capacity to act independently, even as calls grow for a probe into the allegations against the chairman.
