Ogun Government Denies Forced Prostration Claims
The Ogun State Government has rejected a viral report alleging that members of the State Executive Council are compelled to prostrate before Governor Dapo Abiodun whenever he is dissatisfied with them.
The administration labelled the story, published by the blog Naijamixed, as malicious propaganda intended to mislead the public.
Commissioner Akinmade emphasized that no commissioner or cabinet member has ever been required to prostrate before the governor, stating that such an incident has never taken place.
In an official statement, the government declared: “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.”
It added: “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 also dismissed as absurd the suggestion that Deputy Governor Noimot Salako‑Oyedele prostrates before the governor.
“Such a falsehood exposes the reckless and irresponsible nature of the publication,” the government said.
The administration accused Naijamixed of abandoning journalistic standards in favour of sensationalism and misinformation.
“Professional journalism is founded on facts, verification and fairness. Unfortunately, Naijamixed abandoned these principles in favour of sensationalism, deliberate falsehood and calculated mischief aimed at ridiculing the Governor and creating unnecessary tension in Ogun State,” the statement read.
The government clarified that the blog had distorted a widely reported incident involving local government chairmen in the state.
It explained that the episode followed allegations made by the former Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, Hon. Wale Adedayo, against the Ogun State Government.
According to the statement, the local government chairmen voluntarily appealed to Governor Abiodun on behalf of their colleague and, in line with Yoruba tradition, prostrated while pleading for forgiveness.
“At no time did Governor Abiodun request, direct or encourage anyone to prostrate before him. The gesture was entirely voluntary,” the government asserted.
The statement noted that Adedayo’s allegations were investigated by the Ogun State House of Assembly, while the Joint Account and Allocation Committee (JAAC) confirmed that local government allocations were released through the statutory process.
JAAC further found that the Ogun State Government did not divert local government funds and that the state has, on several occasions, provided additional financial support to local governments to help them meet their obligations.
The government pointed out that the incident received extensive media coverage when it occurred, making it surprising that the blog chose to revisit it years later.
“It is therefore surprising that Naijamixed has chosen, years later, to resurrect the episode and deliberately distort the facts in an apparent attempt to demonise the Governor and mislead the public,” the statement said.
While acknowledging freedom of expression as a constitutional right, the government stressed that it does not permit the publication of false information.
“Freedom of expression does not include the freedom to fabricate stories or incite the public through deliberate falsehood,” it added.
The administration urged the public to disregard the publication and rely on credible sources of information.
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