By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
The Ogun State Government has dismissed as false and malicious allegations that members of the State Executive Council prostrate before Governor Dapo Abiodun whenever he is displeased with them, describing the claim as a calculated attempt to ridicule the governor and mislead the public.
The government, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, was reacting to a publication by a blog, Naijamixed, titled, “Cabinet members reportedly prostrate before Ogun State Governor when he is displeased with them.”
It maintained that no commissioner or cabinet member had ever been compelled to prostrate before the governor.
“The claim that members of the Ogun State Executive Council routinely prostrate before Governor Dapo Abiodun whenever he is displeased with them is a complete fabrication. At no time has any commissioner or cabinet member been required to prostrate before the Governor, nor has such an incident ever occurred,” Akinmade said.
The government also dismissed as absurd the claim that the Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, prostrates before the governor.
“Even more ridiculous is the claim that the Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, prostrates before the Governor. Such a falsehood exposes the reckless and irresponsible nature of the publication,” the statement added.
Akinmade accused the blog of abandoning the principles of responsible journalism in favour of sensationalism and deliberate falsehood.
“Professional journalism is founded on facts, verification and fairness. Unfortunately, Naijamixed abandoned these principles in favour of sensationalism, deliberate falsehood and calculated mischief aimed at ridiculing the Governor and creating unnecessary tension in Ogun State,” he said.
Clarifying the basis of the viral claim, the government explained that the report distorted a widely reported incident involving local government chairmen following allegations made by the former Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, Hon. Wale Adedayo, against the state government.
According to the statement, the council chairmen voluntarily appealed to Governor Abiodun on behalf of their colleague and, in line with Yoruba tradition, prostrated while seeking forgiveness.
“At no time did Governor Abiodun request, direct or encourage anyone to prostrate before him. The gesture was entirely voluntary,” Akinmade stated.
The government further noted that Adedayo’s allegations were investigated by the Ogun State House of Assembly, while the Joint Account and Allocation Committee (JAAC) confirmed that local government allocations were disbursed through the statutory process and that no council funds were diverted by the state government.
“It is also a matter of public record that the allegations made by Hon. Adedayo were investigated by the Ogun State House of Assembly, while the Joint Account and Allocation Committee confirmed that local government allocations were disbursed through the statutory process and that the Ogun State Government did not divert local government funds,” the statement said.
Akinmade added that the state government had, on several occasions, supplemented local government finances to enable councils meet their obligations.
Describing the publication as a deliberate distortion of facts, he said the incident had received extensive media coverage when it occurred and questioned the motive behind reviving it years later.
“It is therefore surprising that Naijamixed has chosen, years later, to resurrect the episode and deliberately distort the facts in an apparent attempt to demonise the Governor and mislead the public,” he said.
The government urged residents to disregard the publication and rely on credible sources of information.
“Freedom of expression does not include the freedom to fabricate stories or incite the public through deliberate falsehood.
The Ogun State Government therefore urges members of the public to disregard this malicious publication and rely instead on credible sources of information,” Akinmade said.
He also called on security agencies to investigate those behind the report, warning that the publication was capable of creating unnecessary tension and undermining the peace in the state.
“Given the inflammatory nature of this publication, the appropriate security agencies are urged to investigate its source and those behind it, with a view to preventing any attempt to create unnecessary tension or undermine the peace currently enjoyed in Ogun State,” the statement added.
The Ogun State Government reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability and responsible engagement with the media in the interest of the state’s residents.
