The Ogun State Government has dismissed as “false, malicious and deliberately misleading” a viral report alleging that members of the State Executive Council prostrate before Governor Dapo Abiodun whenever he is displeased with them.

The government, in a statement issued on Monday by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, described the report published by an online blog, Naijamixed, as a fabrication designed to ridicule the governor and create unnecessary tension in the state.

The report, titled “Cabinet Members Reportedly Prostrate Before Ogun State Governor When He Is Displeased With Them,” was described by the government as lacking any factual basis.
Akinmade said no commissioner or member of the State Executive Council had ever been 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,” he said.
“At no time has any commissioner or cabinet member been required to prostrate before the governor, nor has such an incident ever occurred.”

The government also dismissed as “ridiculous” the allegation that the Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, prostrates before the governor, describing it as another example of what it termed reckless and irresponsible journalism.

It accused the online platform of abandoning the ethics of professional journalism by publishing sensational and unverified claims.
Akinmade explained that the report appeared to have distorted an earlier incident involving local government chairmen during the controversy surrounding allegations made by the former Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, Wale Adedayo, against the state government.

According to him, the council chairmen voluntarily prostrated before Governor Abiodun while pleading on behalf of their colleague, stressing that the gesture was consistent with Yoruba cultural tradition and was neither requested nor encouraged by the governor.

“At no time did Governor Abiodun request, direct or encourage anyone to prostrate before him. The gesture was entirely voluntary,” he stated.

The government further recalled that Adedayo’s allegations were investigated by the Ogun State House of Assembly, while the Joint Account and Allocation Committee (JAAC) confirmed that statutory allocations to local governments were duly disbursed in accordance with established procedures.

It added that the state government had, on several occasions, provided financial support to local government councils to enable them meet their financial obligations.

Describing the renewed circulation of the allegation as a deliberate attempt to distort facts and mislead the public, the government urged residents to disregard the publication and rely on credible sources of information.

It also called on security agencies to investigate the source of the report and those behind its circulation, alleging that the publication was capable of inciting unnecessary tension and undermining the peaceful atmosphere in the state.

The Ogun State Government reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability and responsible engagement with the media in the interest of the public.