The crisis rocking Lagelu Local Government Ex-Councillors Forum took a fresh twist as some members of the body, led by Hon. Oladayo Busari (Ward 5) and Hon. Olayinka Fatoki (Ward 13), jointly debunked reports that the Forum had unanimously endorsed Hon. Akintunde Olajide Emmanuel (AKT) for a third term and Hon. Kamorudeen Mudasir Morenikeji (Kamo) for a second term.
In a jointly signed statement, the duo insisted that the report of endorsement currently circulating is false, misleading, and a distortion of facts, stressing that the Forum cannot mortgage its integrity for political handouts.
“We cannot sell our consciences for peanuts. The so-called endorsement is not only strange but also a betrayal of the ideals for which we stood as Councillors who once enjoyed the trust of our people. At no time during the meeting was a third-term agenda for Hon. AKT or a second-term push for Hon. Kamo discussed or agreed upon,” the statement read.
Busari and Fatoki accused those behind the publication of playing political hanky-panky and dragging the names of absent or uninformed members into their scheme. They noted that both Ward 2 and Ward 13 members were not even present at the meeting, yet their names were mischievously attached to the purported endorsement.
The statement further condemned attempts to silence dissenting voices within the Forum, describing it as a dangerous culture of imposition.
“Democracy thrives on freedom of expression and choice, not on coerced unanimity. It is shameful that rather than face the reality of non-performance, some individuals are fabricating endorsements to deceive the public,” the Ex-Councillors declared.
They maintained that the Lagelu Ex-Councillors has not shifted its loyalty from the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, whom they described as the father of the PDP in Oyo State and the only political leader they recognize at this time.
The statement also challenged Hon. AKT and his supporters to show evidence of meaningful ward meetings, sustainable empowerment programmes, or tangible developmental projects executed in Lagelu Local Government, arguing that endorsement without performance is an insult to the grassroots.
“For years, party ward meetings have not been functional in Lagelu under his watch, unlike other local governments across Oyo State. No serious interface with critical stakeholders, no sustainable empowerment, and no tangible development. These are the realities, and no amount of propaganda can erase them,” the Ex-Councillors added.
They therefore called on party stakeholders and the general public to disregard the “stage-managed endorsement drama” and remain focused on strengthening the PDP under the guidance of Governor Seyi Makinde.
The statement was jointly signed by:
Hon. Oladayo Busari – Ex-Councillor, Ward 5, Lagelu LGA
Hon. Olayinka Fatoki – Ex-Councillor, Ward 13, Lagelu LGA
