The Chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Prince Olabiyi Olaleye Poroye, has issued a strong warning to individuals, groups, bloggers, and media organisations against what he described as persistent attempts to drag the Commission into the ongoing crisis in the Ondo State House of Assembly.
In a statement signed by the Commission’s Director of Media and Corporate Affairs, Godson Ewata, OSOPADEC firmly distanced itself from the political developments in the State Assembly, insisting that it has no involvement in the internal affairs or decisions of the legislature.
According to the statement, all interactions between the Commission and the Ondo State House of Assembly are conducted strictly within the framework of constitutional provisions, statutory obligations, and established administrative procedures, stressing that decisions taken by the legislature remain solely the responsibility of the Assembly.
The Commission expressed concern over what it described as sustained campaigns of misinformation through publications, commentaries, videos, and social media content allegedly aimed at linking OSOPADEC and its leadership to the Assembly crisis.
It warned that any further attempt to associate the Commission with issues outside its statutory mandate would be regarded as a deliberate effort to mislead the public, damage its reputation, and erode public confidence in its leadership.
“OSOPADEC has absolutely no role in the internal affairs of the Ondo State House of Assembly,” the statement said, adding that the Commission would no longer tolerate what it termed falsehood, blackmail, character assassination, and malicious propaganda targeted at the institution.
The Commission noted that since the inauguration of the current administration under Prince Poroye, it has faced repeated misinformation and unwarranted attacks designed to distract it from its developmental responsibilities. Despite these challenges, it maintained that the leadership has remained focused on delivering sustainable development projects and programmes across the oil-producing communities in Ondo State.
OSOPADEC further cautioned against the use of its name to advance political interests or lend credibility to any agenda, stating that such actions would neither influence the Commission’s operations nor compel it to deviate from due process and the rule of law.
The Commission also reminded media organisations, online publishers, bloggers, and content creators of their professional and legal obligations to verify facts before publication. It stressed that allegations against the Commission or its officials must be backed by credible and verifiable evidence, warning that the publication or dissemination of false, defamatory, or fabricated information could attract legal consequences.
Declaring a tougher stance against what it described as malicious attacks on its image, OSOPADEC announced that it would henceforth pursue all lawful legal remedies available to protect its institutional integrity and the reputation of its leadership.
The Commission urged parties involved in the ongoing House of Assembly dispute to seek redress through appropriate constitutional and legal channels without involving OSOPADEC in matters unrelated to its statutory functions.
Reaffirming its commitment to transparency, accountability, the rule of law, and sustainable development, the Commission said it remains focused on delivering impactful projects and improving the welfare of residents in the oil-producing areas of Ondo State, insisting that it would not be distracted by politically motivated propaganda or campaigns intended to derail its mandate.
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