The Ondo State Government has debunked a reported rift between Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his deputy, Dr Olayide Adelami.
In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Engagement, Mr Steve Otaloro, titled “Unverified Claims Cannot Define Aiyedatiwa Administration”, the government said there is no crisis between the two contrary to the report.
It urged members of the public to disregard unverified claims contained in the report because of its reliance on unnamed sources, speculation and unverified assertions, which should not be presented as established facts capable of creating a false impression of instability within the administration.
According to the statement, the fact that the publication itself acknowledged that some of the claims could not be independently verified, raises questions about the standards applied in presenting such sensitive allegations to the public.
Otaloro said, “For the avoidance of doubt, I am not aware of any crisis between Governor Aiyedatiwa and his Deputy.”
He addwd that from his interactions and observations within the administration, both leaders remain focused on their respective responsibilities and the collective interest of Ondo State.
He urged members of the public to exercise caution in consuming reports based substantially on speculation and anonymous claims, stressing that allegations that cannot be independently verified should not be elevated into conclusions about the stability of government.
According to him, political disagreements and differing opinions are normal features of a democratic environment, but constructing a narrative of crisis around unverified claims serves neither the government nor the people of Ondo State.
Otaloro, who recently joined the Governor’s media team, also emphasised the importance of professional standards in journalism, particularly in reporting matters involving public officials and governance.
“As a media and public engagement practitioner, I believe strongly that journalism must be anchored on accuracy, verification, fairness and accountability,” he said.
He acknowledged the importance of press freedom in a democracy but noted that such freedom comes with a corresponding responsibility to distinguish between verified facts, legitimate analysis and speculation.
Otaloro therefore described the publication as unfortunate and misleading, urging the public not to accept its speculative conclusions as a reflection of the reality within the Ondo State Government.
He maintained that the administration of Governor Aiyedatiwa remains focused on governance and the delivery of its mandate to the people of Ondo State.
