Ogun Government Denies Allegation of Officials Prostrating Before Governor, Describes Report as False

The Ogun State Government has dismissed allegations that members of the State Executive Council prostrate before Governor Dapo Abiodun whenever he is displeased with them, describing the claim as a malicious fabrication intended to mislead the public and tarnish the image of the administration.

In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, the government faulted a publication by the blog Naijamixed titled, "Cabinet members reportedly prostrate before Ogun State Governor when he is displeased with them."

The government said the report was entirely false, stressing that no commissioner or cabinet member has ever been compelled to prostrate before Governor Abiodun or engaged in such an act.

It also dismissed as "ridiculous" the claim that the Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, prostrates before the governor, describing the allegation as evidence of the publication's lack of credibility and professionalism.

According to the statement, the blog abandoned the principles of responsible journalism by publishing unverified claims designed to ridicule the governor and create unnecessary tension in Ogun State.

The government explained that the publication deliberately distorted a widely reported incident involving local government chairmen following allegations made by the former Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, Hon. Wale Adedayo, against the state government.

It clarified that the chairmen had voluntarily prostrated before Governor Abiodun while appealing for forgiveness on behalf of their colleague, noting that the gesture was consistent with Yoruba cultural tradition and was neither requested nor encouraged by the governor.

The statement further recalled that the allegations made by 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 state government did not divert local government funds.

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

Describing the latest publication as an attempt to revive and distort an old issue for political mischief, the government urged residents to disregard the report and rely on credible sources of information.

The government also called on relevant security agencies to investigate the source of the publication and those responsible for it, saying such actions could incite unnecessary tension and undermine the peace currently enjoyed in Ogun State.

It reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability and responsible engagement with the media in the interest of the people of the state.