The presentation of brand-new vehicles to traditional rulers in Akure South and a new bus to the Legislative Council by the Council Chairman, Hon. Gbenga Fasua, has continued to trigger heated reactions across social media, with many residents insisting the gesture is misplaced amid widespread infrastructural decay.
While government officials celebrated the event as historic, citizens expressed frustration, arguing that the council has abandoned urgent needs such as roads, education, healthcare and market sanitation.
Olowookere Abiola Agboola questioned the rationale behind the gesture entirely:
“But what’s all this for? An executive chairman gifting Obas vehicles—are these necessary when there are better projects for the majority of citizens who supported him? So these Obas don’t have cars for their movement anymore? This politics policy funny, I swear.”
Backing the criticism, Abiodun Bosede said leaders often ignore the developmental standards they observe abroad:
“Most of them travel abroad, they’re not blind. They see how things work there. May the Lord deliver us from this wrong mentality.”
Agboola added that both leaders and followers share blame:
“We not only have bad leadership, even the followers self na wahala… Imagine people posting all this like an achievement on social media. All na stomach infrastructure.”
This came on top of earlier demands for transparency, with one resident writing:
“As you displayed all these vehicles, we demand that you give account and show us your achievements on infrastructure, healthcare, education and welfare of Akure people.”
Concerns also resurfaced about areas like Oda, where development remains stagnant.
Foluso Adejimi noted:
“What happened to the portion of Oda? After Deji, Olojoda ló kan. All the Obas he gave cars are behind Olojoda.”
Other commenters criticised the lack of functioning schools, dirty markets and ongoing neglect of local roads. Many argued the gesture benefits only a privileged circle while the everyday challenges of residents remain ignored.
The angry reactions tie back to a broader, recurring concern: citizens expect local governments—long seen as the closest tier to the people—to prioritise basic development over ceremonial prestige.
For many, the vehicle presentation has become a symbol of skewed priorities in grassroots governance.
