Ogun State Government has described as a mere fabrication the claim that members of the State Executive Council routinely prostrate before Governor Dapo Abiodun whenever he is displeased with them.
A release by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade said the malicious publication by a blog, Naijamixed and titled “Cabinet members reportedly prostrate before Ogun State Governor when he is displeased with them” is displeased with them is a complete fabrication.
Hon. Akinmade pointed out that at no time has any commissioner or cabinet member been required to prostrate before the Governor, nor has such an incident ever occurred.
,”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”, Akinmade said.
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 noted.
The publicity aide said to support its false narrative, the blog deliberately distorted a widely reported incident involving the state’s local government chairmen.
He explained that sequel to the unfounded allegations made by the former Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, Hon. Wale Adedayo, against the Ogun State Government, the chairmen voluntarily appealed to Governor Abiodun on behalf of their colleague with prostration and this, Akinmade noted was “in line with Yoruba culture.”
He pointed out that this instance was a one-time occurrence. The local government chairmen chose by themselves to prostrate while pleading for forgiveness.
Akinmade noted that “at no time did Governor Abiodun request, direct or encourage anyone to prostrate before him. The gesture was entirely voluntary.”
He added that: 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 (JAAC) confirmed that local government allocations were disbursed through the statutory process and that the Ogun State Government did not divert local government funds.
Indeed, the State had, on several occasions, supplemented local government finances to enable the councils meet their obligations, he also added.
The publicity aide said the incident received extensive media coverage at the time. 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.
Akinmade pointed out that “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.”
He advised that “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 Ogun State Government remains committed to transparency, accountability and responsible engagement with the media in the interest of all citizens, he concluded.
