A fresh political confrontation has erupted in Ondo State as the government and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) traded accusations over what officials described as a “coordinated attack” on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
The Ondo State Government had earlier decried what it called a “disturbing wave of blackmail, cyberbullying, and coordinated misinformation” allegedly targeting the governor and top aides.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku, the government alleged that some individuals, including two lawyers, embarked on a smear campaign after their attempts to obtain financial and political favours from the governor failed.
“These individuals demanded a staggering N200 million, claiming it was for ‘activism in support of the governor.’ When their fraudulent request was turned down, they launched a barrage of falsehoods and blackmail online,” Mr Ajanaku stated.
In a statement signed by Idowu Ajanaku, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, he said Governor Aiyedatiwa welcomed constructive criticism but would not tolerate blackmailers “masquerading as activists.”
“The government will use every lawful means to ensure such individuals face justice,” he warned, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
Mr Ajanaku further cautioned that further attacks on public officials would attract “swift legal and public consequences.”
“Enough is enough. Ondo State belongs to all of us, and we will not stand by while a few desperate individuals attempt to destroy its image for selfish gain,” he declared.
In a rebuttal, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accused the Aiyedatiwa administration of attempting to weaponise the Cybercrime Act to silence dissent and stifle public scrutiny.
In a statement by its spokesperson, Wande Ajayi, the PDP described the government’s action as “infantile and draconian,” alleging that the administration was hiding behind false claims of blackmail to avoid accountability.
“We are aware that the government’s plan is to criminalise criticism and hound voices of accountability. That plan will fail. Ondo people are no longer afraid,” the statement reads partly
The PDP accused the governor of ignoring the pressing economic and infrastructural challenges facing the state.
“The government is more interested in chasing shadows than addressing hunger, unemployment, and infrastructural decay ravaging the state,” Mr Ajayi said.
The opposition also challenged the administration to publish the list of contractors, payment records, and true status of the 2025 budget implementation, alleging that the figures released to the media were “cosmetic and misleading.”
“A government drowning in scandals, opacity, and waste has no moral right to lecture anyone on integrity,” the PDP added.
It accused the governor of “dragging the name of Ondo State into petty propaganda” and insisted that the people had seen through what it called “grandstanding and fake moral outrage.”
