The Ogun State government has recently found itself in the crosshairs of a bizarre and inflammatory media narrative, prompting a swift and firm rebuttal from the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun. At the heart of the controversy is a viral report published by an online site known as Naijamixed, which alleged that members of the State Executive Council are routinely coerced into prostrating before the governor whenever he expresses displeasure with their performance. The government has unequivocally denounced this narrative as “false, malicious, and deliberately misleading,” framing it as a calculated attempt to damage the reputation of the state’s leadership and stir unnecessary political instability within the region.
Speaking on behalf of the administration, Kayode Akinmade, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, emphasized the absurdity of these claims. He clarified that at no point in the history of the current administration has any commissioner or cabinet member been subjected to—or even remotely requested—such a humiliating indignity. The government went a step further to address the specific, and undeniably “ridiculous,” claim that the Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, also participates in this supposed ritual. By highlighting these specific accusations, the administration underscored its belief that the viral report is not merely misinformed, but a manifestation of reckless journalism intended to ridicule the governor rather than provide legitimate political coverage.
In exposing the roots of this misinformation, the government pointed to a distorted interpretation of a past event involving local government chairmen. The confusion stems from a period of political friction surrounding allegations made by Wale Adedayo, the former Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, against the state government. During that time, local government chairmen voluntarily chose a traditional Yoruba gesture of respect to apologize to the governor on behalf of their colleague, hoping to resolve the simmering tensions. The government maintains that this act was a deeply personal, culturally grounded maneuver by the chairmen themselves—one that Governor Abiodun neither requested nor encouraged. To characterize an act of traditional mediation as a state-mandated ritual of subservience is, according to the government, a dangerous warping of the truth.
The administration also took the opportunity to reiterate that the allegations leveled by the former chairman were thoroughly scrutinized and found lacking. The Ogun State House of Assembly conducted a comprehensive investigation into the financial dealings of the Joint Account and Allocation Committee (JAAC), ultimately confirming that all statutory allocations were disbursed in strict accordance with legal procedures. Furthermore, the state government pointed to its consistent track record of providing additional financial support to local councils, ensuring they could meet their operational obligations despite economic pressures. By bringing these facts back to the forefront, the government aims to demonstrate that the viral claims are not just offensive, but also disconnected from the reality of the state’s fiscal transparency.
Tensions remain high as the state government views the recirculation of these rumors as a deliberate effort to incite the public and undermine the peaceful atmosphere of Ogun State. The administration has formally called upon security agencies to investigate the architects behind this media campaign, suggesting that such blatant misinformation is designed to weaken the democratic process. By labeling the act as “irresponsible journalism” that abandons all ethical standards, the government is signaling a tougher stance against online platforms that prioritize high-traffic, sensationalist content over verified facts. This call for investigation serves as a warning against those who would trade in malice to achieve political ends.
Ultimately, the administration has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining an open, accountable, and professional relationship with the media. In response to the wave of misinformation, officials are urging the residents of Ogun State to look past the sensationalist headlines and rely on credible information sources. By framing the incident as an affront to both the dignity of the office and the values of the public, the government is clearly signaling that it intends to protect its image against what it deems “fabricated” attacks. For Governor Abiodun, the path forward is one of transparency, hoping that by clarifying the facts, the public will see through the noise and recognize the state’s ongoing commitment to responsible governance.