The Ogun State Government has dismissed as false a viral report alleging that members of the State Executive Council are compelled to prostrate before Governor Dapo Abiodun whenever he is displeased with them.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, described the publication by an online blog as malicious propaganda designed to mislead the public and tarnish the image of the governor.
Akinmade stated that the allegation was entirely fabricated, insisting that no commissioner or cabinet member has ever been instructed or compelled to prostrate before Governor Abiodun.
“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,” the statement read.
It added that such an incident had never occurred since the governor assumed office.
The government also dismissed claims that the Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, prostrates before Governor Abiodun, describing the allegation as another reckless falsehood.
According to the statement, the report reflects a complete disregard for the ethics of professional journalism, accusing the blog of promoting sensationalism, misinformation and calculated mischief instead of factual reporting.
The government clarified that the publication deliberately distorted an incident involving local government chairmen during the controversy surrounding allegations made by the former Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, Hon. Wale Adedayo.
It explained that the council chairmen voluntarily prostrated before Governor Abiodun while pleading for forgiveness on behalf of their colleague, describing the gesture as a cultural expression rooted in Yoruba tradition.
The statement stressed that the governor neither requested nor encouraged anyone to prostrate before him.
“At no time did Governor Abiodun request, direct or encourage anyone to prostrate before him. The gesture was entirely voluntary,” it stated.
The government further noted that the allegations raised by Adedayo were investigated by the Ogun State House of Assembly, while the Joint Account and Allocation Committee (JAAC) confirmed that statutory allocations due to local governments were duly released.
According to the statement, JAAC also found no evidence that the state government diverted local government funds, adding that the state had consistently provided additional financial support to councils when necessary.
The government expressed surprise that the blog chose to revisit the incident years after it had received extensive media coverage, accusing it of deliberately twisting the facts to mislead the public.
While reaffirming its support for freedom of expression, the state government maintained that constitutional rights do not extend to the publication of false information capable of inciting the public.
It urged residents to disregard the report and rely on credible sources for verified information.
The Ogun State Government also called on security agencies to investigate those responsible for the publication, warning that such misinformation could threaten the peace and stability currently enjoyed in the state.
The statement reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability and constructive engagement with the media in the interest of the people of Ogun State.