By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
…Acknowledged Obayangban for Financing Govt’s Media Promotion Across the State
A Senior Special Assistant to Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Multimedia, Taiwo Ilesanmi Gbamila, has accused two members of the state executive council of deliberately frustrating the administration’s media and public communication efforts.
Gbamila made the allegation against the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Engr. Abiola Olawoye, and the Commissioner for Finance, Mrs Omowumi Isaac, following remarks attributed to Olawoye at an All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders’ meeting held on Friday at The Dome in Akure.
At the meeting, Olawoye was reported to have accused the governor’s media team of “doing nothing”, a comment that triggered a sharp reaction from the governor’s aide.
In an emotional response, Gbamila questioned the basis for what he described as sustained antagonism towards the governor’s media aides, asking, “What exactly did the media of Governor Aiyedatiwa collect from you? Are they owing you money?”
He maintained that neither he nor other members of the media team had received any financial benefit from the Ministry of Infrastructure, insisting that the accusations were unfounded.
Gbamila recalled that several months earlier, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan, had set up a committee of media aides, chaired by him, to document and showcase projects and achievements of the Aiyedatiwa administration. According to him, the task required close collaboration with the Ministry of Works, which he said never materialised.
Detailing his experience, Gbamila alleged that repeated attempts to reach the Infrastructure Commissioner were unsuccessful.
“I called him for several days; he did not pick up. I sent messages; no reply. Even when the Chief Press Secretary called him, he did not respond,” he said.
He added that a meeting scheduled for October was effectively cancelled after several calls went unanswered.
Gbamila further alleged that the commissioner later directed contractors handling government projects to deny media teams access to project sites unless they obtained his personal approval.
“At several locations, contractors told us we were not allowed to cover projects unless we got approval from him,” he said, noting that he went ahead with his assignment despite the alleged restriction.
According to him, frustration over the lack of institutional support forced him to personally fund aspects of the media tour. He said assistance eventually came from the Special Assistant to the Governor on Forestry (South), Hon. Bidemi Obayangban, whom he credited for supporting the documentary exercise across the state.
He also acknowledged the role played by the Chief of Protocol, who, he said, helped facilitate access to the Government House for media coverage.
Gbamila extended his accusations to the Commissioner for Finance, alleging that funds earmarked for public awareness and media engagements had been deliberately withheld for extended periods.
“Last year, the Finance Commissioner stopped money for public awareness for six months. This December makes it three months again. Nobody talked,” he said.
He explained that members of the media team endured the situation quietly to avoid internal crisis within the government and the ruling party.
Warning of possible political consequences, Gbamila said persistent attacks on the media arm of the administration could undermine the governor’s achievements.
“If you have people you want to bring into the media, bring them. Nobody is stopping you. But you cannot run down the media we are part of,” he said.
He also disclosed that he restrained himself from confronting Olawoye physically at the APC meeting out of respect for Governor Aiyedatiwa’s presence, describing the commissioner’s remarks as reckless.
Gbamila said he was prepared to face any consequences arising from his comments, including the loss of his appointment or legal action.
“If this will end my appointment, I will thank God. I will go to church and give thanks,” he said, adding that he would not “die in silence” while his integrity and work were being questioned.
He concluded by urging the commissioners involved to “fear God” and refrain from actions he claimed were undermining the governor’s media team.