No commissioner ever prostrated before Gov Abiodun – Ogun govt clarifies
Ogun State Government Dismisses Allegations of Impropriety Among Executive Council Members
The Ogun State Government has refuted claims circulating on social media that members of its Executive Council are required to prostrate before Governor Dapo Abiodun when he expresses dissatisfaction with them.
In a statement released on Monday, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, characterized the blog post as malicious propaganda designed to mislead the public.
“The assertion that members of the Ogun State Executive Council routinely prostrate before Governor Dapo Abiodun is a complete fabrication,” the statement read. The government asserted that no commissioner or cabinet member has ever been compelled to perform such an act. “At no time has any commissioner or cabinet member been required to prostrate before the Governor, nor has such an incident ever occurred,” it added.
The statement also addressed claims that Deputy Governor Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele has been observed prostrating before the Governor, labeling the allegation as “ridiculous” and highlighting the irresponsible nature of the publication.
The government accused the blog of abandoning professional journalistic standards in favor of sensationalism and misinformation. “Professional journalism is built on facts, verification, and fairness. Regrettably, Naijamixed has strayed from these principles,” it stated.
The government indicated that the distorted claims were derived from a widely reported incident involving local government chairmen in the state. This incident followed allegations made by former Ijebu East Local Government Chairman Wale Adedayo against the state government. Local government chairmen had voluntarily requested an audience with the Governor regarding their colleague and, in accordance with Yoruba tradition, prostrated while seeking forgiveness. The government emphasized that the act was voluntary and not solicited by Governor Abiodun.
In addition, the statement noted that the Ogun State House of Assembly investigated allegations raised by Adedayo, while the Joint Account and Allocation Committee confirmed that local government allocations were processed appropriately. The committee found no evidence of misappropriation of local government funds, stating that the Ogun State Government has repeatedly extended financial assistance to local governments to fulfill their obligations.
The government expressed surprise at the blog’s decision to revisit this incident years later, suggesting an intention to distort facts and undermine the credibility of the Governor.
While affirming constitutional rights regarding freedom of expression, the statement clarified that this does not extend to the dissemination of false information. The government urged the public to disregard the baseless claims and to seek information from credible sources.
Furthermore, it has called on security agencies to investigate those responsible for the inflammatory publication, which could potentially disrupt the peace in Ogun State. The government reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and responsible communication with the media for the benefit of all citizens.
