Oloruntogb Rejects Cocoa Board Appointment, Alleges Farmer Exploitation

Hon. Augustin Oloruntogb, the former chairman of the Akoko South West Local Government and past chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Ondo State, declined an appointment to the Cocoa Revolution Management Board.

He cited his professional commitments as the reason for his decision, stating that he could not dedicate the necessary attention to the role. Oloruntogb expressed appreciation to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for the appointment, describing it as a privilege and a demonstration of confidence in his abilities to contribute to the state's agricultural development.

However, he urged the governor to investigate allegations of illegal levies imposed on cocoa farmers in Oka Akoko, where farmers reportedly paid N150,000 into private accounts without receiving official government receipts. Oloruntogb called for transparency and proper documentation of payments within the cocoa value chain to protect farmers and strengthen public trust in the state's cocoa revolution agenda.