… Alleges illegal N150,000 levies on farmers

A former chairman of Akoko South West Local Government in Ondo State, Augustine Oloruntogbe, has turned down his appointment as a member of the Ondo State Cocoa Revolution and Management Board.

Oloruntogbe, who had served as Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in the state, declined the appointment in a letter addressed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

Aiyedatiwa had, on Friday, approved the constitution of the Ondo State Cocoa Revolution and Management Board as part of a commitment to reposition agriculture as a key driver of the state’s economy.

Oloruntogbe in the letter stated that he would not be able to serve due to pressing personal and professional commitments that would not allow him to give the assignment the full attention it deserves.

Meanwhile, the former council chairman used the opportunity of his rejection letter to draw the governor’s attention to what he described as urgent grievances from farmers in the state.

According to him, cocoa farmers within the Ose Game Reserve have alleged that as much as N150,000 is being collected from each farmer into a private account, with no official receipt issued for such payments.

Oloruntogbe urged the state government to investigate the allegations and ensure that all levies and payments within the cocoa value chain are transparent, properly documented, and channelled through official government accounts.

He further noted that addressing the issue would protect cocoa farmers and strengthen public confidence in the ongoing reforms under the state’s Cocoa Revolution Agenda.

The letter read in parts, “I write to formally acknowledge and express my sincere gratitude for your decision to appoint me to the board. It is an honor to be considered for this role in service to our people as announced in your press release of 10th July, 2026.

“This recognition is deeply humbling, and I commend Your Excellency’s bold Cocoa Revolution Agenda aimed at repositioning agriculture, boosting farmers’ livelihoods, and restoring Ondo State’s leadership in cocoa production.

“After careful reflection and consultation, I have decided with the highest respect to honorably 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.

“In the spirit of supporting the success of the Cocoa Revolution, I also wish to respectfully bring to Your Excellency’s attention a matter of urgent concern raised by cocoa farmers in Oka Akoko who farm within the Ose Game Reserve.

“There are allegations of the collection of huge sums amounting to N150,000 per farmer into a private account, without any official receipt being issued.

“I respectfully urge the state government to look into this matter and ensure that all levies and payments within the cocoa value chain are properly documented, transparent, and channeled through official government accounts. This will protect our farmers and strengthen trust in the reforms your administration is driving.”