The leadership of the council’s legislative house has condemned the claims as baseless and unfounded describing them as “heresies” driven by selfish motives and personal greed.
The strongly worded response by leader of the Oluyole Local Government Legislative House, Hon. Taofeeq Azeez comes as a response to a petition alleging the collapse of the legislative arm of Oluyole Local Government
The petition, reportedly authored by a group of councilors within the Oluyole Legislative Council, accused the executive chairman, Asiwaju Akeem Olatunji, of mismanagement and claimed that the legislative arm is in disarray.
However, the Leader of the House has pushed back firmly against the allegations, calling them a coordinated attempt to sabotage progress in the council.
In an official statement issued on behalf of the legislative council on Tuesday, May 13, the Leader denounced the petitioners’ actions as a “shameful macabre dance orchestrated by individuals driven by greed and a get-rich-quick syndrome.”
He noted that while the Legislative House remains an independent arm of government at the local government level, it is a partner in progress and will provide the needed support for the continued implementation of laudable policies and programs by the Olatunji led administration that have had direct positive impacts on the people.
Hon. Taofeeq, who frowned at such move the councilors described their action as direct insubordination and an affront to his authority as the Leader of the House.
He warned 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.
“Quite unfortunately, few of our colleagues see their election as an avenue for personal and quick enrichment.
“They are neither motivated nor impressed by the many developmental projects being executed by the chairman which has continued to earn him a soaring political reputation. The only language they understand is quick affluence, which is not what service to the people entails,” The House Leader said.
Hon. Taofeeq emphasized the House’s commitment to service and highlighted the unprecedented development strides achieved under Olatunji’s administration since taking over the reins of power drawing inspiration from Governor Seyi Makinde’s leadership in the state.
“We have always avowed our readiness to serve Oluyole Local Government with dignity, honour, and sacrifice. We stand by the executive chairman, Engr. Akeem Olatunji, and we shall continue to partner with the executive arm under his leadership in making Oluyole a better place for all,” the statement added.
The legislative head also called out unnamed political figures whom they alleged are secretly backing the disgruntled councilors.
“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, the drummers who hide beneath the rivers and push them through this shameful dance,” the leader stated.
On the legality of the petition, the House Leader pointed out that due process was not followed and that the legislative council had not formally deliberated on any of the issues raised, thus rendering the petition null and void.
“The Oyo State Local Government Law is very clear on how a petition may be issued to the House of Assembly concerning the activities of the executive arm. 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,” the House Leader clarified.
He however, urged the public to disregard the petition and called on their dissenting colleagues to retrace their selfish interests and return to the path of collective progress and grassroots development under Olatunji’s administration.
In his words: “We urge our wandering colleagues to retrace their steps and join us in making Oluyole a better place for all. Once the Oluyole people are catered for, our interests as representatives of our people have been served and the glory of meritorious stewardship will be for us all and not the chairman alone.”