False! — Ogun Denies Claims Dep Gov, Cabinet Members Prostrate To Appease Abiodun

The Ogun State Government has dismissed as false and malicious claims that members of the state executive council, including Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele, prostrate before Governor Dapo Abiodun whenever he is displeased with them.

In a statement issued on Monday, Kayode Akinmade, special adviser to the governor on information and strategy, described the allegation as a complete fabrication designed to ridicule the governor and create unnecessary tension in the state.

“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,” the statement reads.

Akinmade said the allegation involving the deputy governor was particularly absurd.

“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,” he said.

The state government accused the authors of the claim of abandoning the principles of professional journalism in favour of sensationalism and deliberate falsehood.

According to Akinmade, an incident involving local government chairmen was deliberately misrepresented to support the narrative being circulated.

He said following allegations made by former chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, Wale Adedayo, against the state government, council chairmen voluntarily appealed to Governor Abiodun on behalf of their colleague and, in keeping with Yoruba culture, 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 said.

The government also referenced investigations conducted by the Ogun State House of Assembly into Adedayo’s allegations, noting that the Joint Account and Allocation Committee (JAAC) confirmed that local government allocations were disbursed through the statutory process.

“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,” the statement said.

The government added that the state had, on several occasions, supplemented local government finances to enable councils meet their obligations.

Akinmade expressed surprise that the incident was being revisited years later, alleging that the facts had been deliberately distorted in an attempt to demonise the governor and mislead members of the public.

“Freedom of expression does not include the freedom to fabricate stories or incite the public through deliberate falsehood,” he said.

He urged residents to disregard the claim and rely on credible sources of information, while also calling on security agencies to investigate those behind the publication.

“The Ogun State Government remains committed to transparency, accountability and responsible engagement with the media in the interest of all citizens,” the statement added.