Ogun gov’t dismisses viral prostration video as malicious propaganda

The Ogun State Government has refuted a viral online publication claiming that cabinet members and the Deputy Governor routinely prostrate before Governor Dapo Abiodun as a form of appeasement when he is displeased with them.

Describing the report as a complete fabrication and calculated mischief, the government clarified that at no time has any commissioner, cabinet member, or Deputy Governor Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele ever been required to perform such an act.

The state government slammed the publication, which originated from a blog called Naijamixed, as a reckless attempt to demonize the governor and stir unnecessary tension across the state.

According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, the blog post deliberately twisted a well-documented historical incident involving the state’s local government chairmen to back up its false narrative.

Narrating the ordeal, the state government notwd that the incident in question occurred years ago following unfounded financial allegations made against the state government by the former Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, Hon. Wale Adedayo.

“At the time, the state’s council chairmen voluntarily approached Governor Abiodun to appeal for leniency on behalf of their colleague. In accordance with traditional Yoruba cultural norms of pleading, the chairmen chose to prostrate during the meeting.”

“The gesture was entirely voluntary and that Governor Abiodun never requested, directed, or encouraged anyone to prostrate before him,” the statement read.

The government also reminded the public that the financial disputes from that period are a matter of public record.

A previous investigation by the Ogun State House of Assembly and the Joint Account and Allocation Committee (JAAC) fully cleared the administration, confirming that local government allocations were disbursed legally and that the state government had actually supplemented local council finances on multiple occasions rather than diverting them.

Expressing concern over the inflammatory nature of the resurrected story, the state government stressed that freedom of expression does not give media outlets the license to fabricate stories or incite the public.

The state government further urged security agencies to investigate the source of the publication to maintain the current peace enjoyed in the state, while citizens are advised to disregard the report and rely only on verified, credible news sources.