2027: Tension rises in Oyo as two LG chairmen suspended in 24 hours over alleged financial impropriety

Political tension is mounting in the Ogbomoso zone of Oyo State after two local government chairmen were suspended within 24 hours over alleged financial impropriety, Vanguard reports.

Councillors in Oriire Local Government suspended Chairman Olateju Michael Alabi on Monday, while the Surulere Local Government legislative arm suspended Chairman Isaiah Adegbite, who is serving a second term, on Tuesday.

Details of the allegations against the chairmen remained sketchy.

The suspensions have sparked debate across the zone, with observers questioning their timing and whether they were driven by accountability concerns or political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Political analyst Dr Femi Awolesi questioned whether the moves were a genuine push for accountability or a political witch-hunt, noting the perception that both chairmen were not aligned with the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

Efforts to reach the suspended chairmen for comment were ongoing.

Stakeholders called for calm and strict adherence to due process to prevent a wider political crisis in the zone.