A former Chairman of Akoko South West Local Government and ex-Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria in Ondo State, Augustine Oloruntogbe, has turned down his appointment as a member of the Ondo State Cocoa Revolution and Management Board.
Oloruntogbe, in a letter dated July 10, 2026, conveyed his appreciation to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for considering him for the position, describing the appointment as a mark of confidence and privilege.
His appointment was among those recently announced by the state government following the inauguration of the Cocoa Revolution and Management Board, established to drive reforms in the state's cocoa sector.
Despite expressing support for the government's cocoa development initiative, Oloruntogbe said he would be unable to serve on the board because of personal and professional obligations that would prevent him from giving the assignment the required commitment.
He stated, "After careful reflection and consultation, I have decided, with the highest respect, to honourably decline the offer to serve on the board at this time due to pressing personal and professional commitments that will not allow me to give the assignment the full attention and dedication it deserves."
The former council chairman reaffirmed his support for the Cocoa Revolution Agenda, saying the initiative has the potential to boost cocoa production, improve the welfare of farmers and restore Ondo State's status as a leading cocoa-producing state.
Oloruntogbe also used the letter to call the attention of the state government to alleged unauthorised collections from cocoa farmers operating in the Ose Game Reserve, Oka Akoko.
He claimed that several farmers had complained that they were being compelled to pay as much as N150,000 each into a private bank account without receiving official government receipts.
He urged the state government to investigate the allegations and ensure that all payments and levies within the cocoa sector are processed transparently, properly documented and paid into designated government accounts.
According to him, addressing the alleged irregularities would not only protect cocoa farmers from exploitation but also strengthen public trust in the state's ongoing cocoa sector reforms.
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