Photos: Oyo APC Warns Ibadan North Chair on Project Claim

 

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has raised concerns over an alleged attempt by the Chairman of Ibadan North Local Government, Mr. Seun Olufade, to claim credit for a federal government-funded project. The party warned that proceeding with plans to commission the facility as a local government achievement would amount to fraud and misrepresentation.

The project in question, a Cassava Processing Plant located in Barika, Agbowo, Ibadan, was facilitated by the late Hon. Olaide Akinremi, who represented Ibadan North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. The ultra-modern facility is being financed by the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Abuja.

In a statement issued over the weekend by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, Oyo APC accused the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) administration in the state of consistently interfering with developmental projects facilitated by APC lawmakers. The party alleged that PDP-led local government officials often frustrate such projects while also attempting to claim them as their own.

“Recently, we have witnessed multiple instances of lawlessness, with some council chairmen deploying thugs to halt the commencement or completion of projects facilitated by APC federal lawmakers, citing a lack of state government approval,” Sadare stated.

He referenced the halted construction of the Brewery-Arolu-Agoro-Adogba-Monatan Road project in Ward 06 of Egbeda Local Government, facilitated by an APC federal lawmaker. According to him, the project was obstructed by PDP-aligned operatives on the day of its flag-off and has since been abandoned.

The APC further alleged that Mr. Olufade has scheduled an elaborate commissioning ceremony for the Agbowo Cassava Processing Plant this Friday, despite having no involvement in its facilitation or execution.

“The Cassava Processing Factory is a federal project aimed at empowering grassroots communities and supporting national food security initiatives. It is unacceptable for the Ibadan North Chairman to mislead the public by taking undue credit for a project he played no role in executing,” the statement read.

The party also accused Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration of mismanaging local government funds, arguing that the scope of the Agbowo project surpasses what any local government could independently finance under the current financial structure in Oyo State.

“As of today, Governor Makinde has been controlling the allocations meant for the 33 local government areas since 2019. It is, therefore, deceitful for anyone in the PDP-led administration to claim credit for projects funded by the federal government through APC lawmakers,” the party insisted.

APC urged residents of Barika and Agbowo communities to remain patient, assuring them that necessary installations and final preparations for production at the cassava processing facility would soon be completed.

The party concluded its statement by warning against what it described as “political scavengers” attempting to take credit for APC-initiated projects, particularly as the constituency prepares for a bye-election to fill the vacancy left by the passing of Hon. Olaide Akinremi.

As of the time of reporting, Mr. Seun Olufade and the Ibadan North Local Government administration have yet to respond to the allegations.