Gov. Abiodun Is Undeterred By Opposition’s Many Lies, Propaganda – Odufowokan
Ogun State Government has strongly refuted viral claims circulating on social media suggesting that cabinet members and the Deputy Governor are required to prostrate before Governor Abiodun to seek favor or beg for forgiveness.
Speaking on OGTV’s current affairs program, Focus, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Public Communication, Otunba ‘Dare Odufowokan, characterized the allegations as a malicious fabrication and a deliberate attempt by political detractors to smear the administration’s reputation ahead of the upcoming elections.
The origin of the viral video
Addressing the source of the misinformation, Otunba Odufowokan clarified that the video being circulated is an old clip dating back several years, featuring former local government chairmen rather, than current cabinet members or the Deputy Governor.
According to the Special Adviser, the footage captured a past incident where a specific local government chairman had publicly admitted to leveling false accusations against the Governor.
Following his admission, his colleagues chose to accompany him to apologize to Governor Abiodun.
“They are Yorubas, and one of the tenets of being a Yoruba is that we prostrate to greet our elders,” Otunba Odufowokan explained, emphasizing that the gesture was rooted in cultural respect during an apology rather than an administrative mandate.
He noted that in the original video, Governor Abiodun can be seen advising the chairmen to rise, stating that such measures were unnecessary.
The Special Adviser asserted that those behind the clip intentionally manipulated its context to mislead the public. However, he stated that the smear campaign had failed, as social media users and citizens familiar with the state’s leadership quickly identified the individuals in the video as former local chairmen, subsequently debunking the rumors themselves.
When questioned on the Governor’s personal disposition, Otunba Odufowokan described Governor Abiodun as a confident and accommodating leader who habitually stops individuals from prostrating when greeting him, opting instead for handshakes and hugs. He attributed the false narratives to envy surrounding the administration’s infrastructural achievements.
No Immediate Plans for Legal Charges
Despite growing calls from the public and social media commentators urging the government to press charges against the purveyors of the fake news, Otunba Odufowokan indicated that Governor Abiodun remains reluctant to take legal action.
“If I were the Governor, I would press charges,” Otunba Odufowokan remarked in his personal capacity. “But I know my principal… he feels that he is a father to all. He would rather find a way of telling them that what they have done is wrong without taking it to court.”
He nevertheless warned that there is a limit to tolerance and cautioned detractors against pushing the Governor’s patience to its breaking point.
A Warning to the Youth on Social Media Laws
Concluding the broadcast, the SSA advised Nigerian youths to exercise caution and avoid being used as instruments for spreading fake news and misinformation. He reminded the public that Nigeria’s legal framework regarding social media misuse has become significantly stricter, noting that individuals have faced imprisonment for propagating outright falsehoods online.
The Ogun State Government reaffirmed that despite these distractions, Governor Abiodun remains fully focused on delivering his legacy projects, including infrastructural developments, road constructions, and security initiatives across the state.
