The Ogun State Government has dismissed reports alleging that members of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s cabinet are compelled to prostrate before him whenever he is displeased, describing the claim as entirely false and deliberately misleading.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, said the allegation was a fabricated attempt to ridicule the governor and create unnecessary tension in the state.
Akinmade maintained that no commissioner or member of the State Executive Council has ever been instructed or pressured to prostrate before Governor Abiodun.
The government also dismissed as “absurd” claims that the Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, prostrates before the governor, saying the report reflected irresponsible journalism driven by sensationalism rather than facts.
“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. At no time has any commissioner or cabinet member been required to prostrate before the Governor, nor has such an incident ever occurred,” the statement said.
According to the government, the publication distorted a widely reported incident involving local government chairmen during the controversy surrounding allegations made by the former Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, Wale Adedayo.
It explained that the council chairmen voluntarily prostrated before the governor while pleading for forgiveness on behalf of their colleague, describing the action as a cultural expression rooted in Yoruba tradition rather than an instruction from the governor.
“At no time did Governor Abiodun request, direct or encourage anyone to prostrate before him. The gesture was entirely voluntary,” Akinmade stated.
The government further recalled that allegations made by Adedayo were investigated by the Ogun State House of Assembly, while the Joint Account and Allocation Committee confirmed that local government allocations were distributed through the statutory process without diversion by the state government.
It added that the state had on several occasions provided additional financial support to local governments to enable them meet their obligations.
The Ogun State Government urged residents to disregard the publication and rely on verified sources for information. It also called on security agencies to investigate those behind what it described as a false report capable of disrupting the peace and stability currently enjoyed in the state.
Reaffirming its commitment to openness and accountability, the government said it would continue to engage responsibly with the media while protecting the integrity of public institutions.
