ABEOKUTA – A former chairmanship aspirant in Abeokuta North Local Government, Hon. Oladipupo Ogunyemi, fondly called Champion has distanced himself from reports linking him to a recent political appointment as Special Assistant to the Executive Chairman of the Council, Hon Lanre Oyegbola Shodipo.
In a firm statement issued Tuesday, Ogunyemi dismissed the announcement made on July 31, 2025, describing the appointment as “unfounded, unsolicited, and ultimately unacceptable.”
He clarified that at no point did he accept or express interest in the said role, noting that the position falls far below the level of engagement he is willing to entertain at this stage of his political and professional trajectory.
“I have taken due note of the public notice released by the Chairman, and while I appreciate the gesture, I must categorically state that I reject the appointment.
“The role of Special Assistant neither reflects the depth of my experience nor aligns with my career path. Accepting such would not only undermine my contributions to governance at various levels but would also amount to self-debasement.” Ogunyemi said.
Ogunyemi, who once served as Personal Assistant to the then Local Government Chairman (2011–2012), Councilor representing Ward 3, Ago-Oko (2012–2015), Personal Assistant to the Senator representing Ogun Central (2015–2019), Supervisor for Works & WES in Abeokuta North (2020–2021), and most recently, Personal Assistant to the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (2021–2023), said he finds the reported appointment “condescending” given his political history and antecedents.
A strong contender in the recently held chairmanship race in 2024, Ogunyemi was among those who vied for the Council’s top job, eventually stepping aside after the emergence of Shodipo.
He said that while he respects the office of the Chairman, any attempt to place him in a peripheral advisory role falls short of acknowledging his long-standing service, influence, and political capital within the Local Government and beyond.
“I have served with distinction across legislative, executive, and academic institutions. My decision to decline this appointment is a conscious reaffirmation of my worth, and a message to younger political actors that growth must not be traded for convenience,” he added.
Ogunyemi’s rejection of the offer has sparked conversations among political observers, with many interpreting the move as a quiet protest against tokenistic gestures in local governance.
Sources close to the politician indicate that he remains committed to public service but insists on doing so from platforms that match his capacity and aspirations.
As of press time, there has been no official response from the office of the Executive Chairman.
