A political pressure group within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oluyole Local Government has criticised the recent recognition of the council chairman, Engr. Akeem Olatunji, as Most Outstanding Chairman of the Year by Radio Nigeria, Southwest Zone.
Speaking through its spokesperson, Mr. Sikiru Adebanjo, the group argued that Olatunji does not deserve the honour, insisting that several other local government chairmen in Oyo State and across the region have performed better in terms of service delivery and grassroots development.
The award ceremony, which was reported to have been aired across Radio Nigeria platforms in the Southwest, was designed to celebrate exceptional leadership at the local government level.
However, Adebanjo dismissed the accolade as undeserved, describing it as a “misplaced recognition that does not reflect the true realities in Oluyole.”
“It is unfortunate that at a time when governance at the grassroots is expected to be more transparent and impactful, such an award is being handed out to someone whose record is riddled with controversies. We have several chairmen doing far better than Engr. Olatunji; this award is not only misleading but also unfair to those genuinely working for the people,” Adebanjo said.
The group alleged that the Oluyole council boss has performed “so poorly in the history of the council’s administration” in terms of governance, leadership, and accountability. According to them, Olatunji is popularly known for inciting party members against one another and weaponising loyalists in the council area to intimidate fellow PDP members who have only remained in the party because several reconciliation efforts initiated by the state leadership.
They further accused him of mismanaging public funds, claiming that his so-called empowerment programmes were “nothing but propaganda.” The group alleged that residents who registered for empowerment were asked to pay additional fees for forms and certificates, yet no certificates have been issued and no funds disbursed.
“This is nothing short of fraud. People have been deceived into believing they were going to be empowered, but up till today, there is no trace of any genuine empowerment in Oluyole,” Adebanjo added.
This is not the first time the Oluyole council boss has faced criticism. Only recently, six elected councillors in the local government levelled serious allegations against him, accusing him of financial mismanagement, land racketeering, abuse of office, and unilateral decision-making without the input of the legislative arm.
In their widely circulated petition, the councillors alleged that the chairman had consistently frustrated their attempts to exercise oversight functions, running the council “in total disregard for due process, accountability, and transparency.”
