Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, insisted that he is no longer involved in partisan politics but remained deeply committed to the welfare and progress of Nigerians.

Obasanjo stated this when he received the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, including its governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, and his daughter, Iyabo Obasanjo, the Ogun Central Senatorial District candidate of the party, in Abeokuta.

He, however, expressed regret that Nigeria has been unable to effectively harness and manage its vast resources despite their abundance.

The former President, therefore, advised Adebutu to approach his governorship aspiration with prudence, emphasising that the pursuit of leadership should be rooted in a commitment to public service rather than personal ambition.

MEANWHILE, the Ogun State Government has strongly refuted a viral report alleging that members of the State Executive Council (SEC) routinely prostrate before Governor Dapo Abiodun whenever he is displeased with them.

The state government, in a statement yesterday by Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, described the claim by a blogger as “a complete fabrication and malicious propaganda” intended to ridicule the governor and create unnecessary tension.

According to Akinmade, no commissioner or member of the state executive council has ever been compelled to prostrate before the governor, contrary to the claims contained in the publication.

The state also dismissed as “ridiculous” another claim that the Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, ‘prostrates’ before the governor, describing it as another example of what it called the blogger’s “reckless and irresponsible” reporting.

He accused the blog of abandoning the principles of professional journalism by publishing what it described as sensational and unverified claims.

The state government further stated that the report misrepresented an earlier incident involving council chairmen during the controversy surrounding allegations made by former Chairman of Ijebu-East Local Council, Wale Adedayo, against the state government.

It said that the chairmen voluntarily prostrated before the governor while pleading on behalf of their colleague, noting that the gesture was consistent with Yoruba cultural tradition and was neither requested nor encouraged by the governor.