Ondo Governor’s Aide Accuses Infrastructure, Finance Commissioners Of Sabotaging Media Team, Undermining Administration
Taiwo Ilesanmi Gbamila, Senior Special Assistant to Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Multimedia, has accused the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Engr. Abiola Olawoye, and the Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Omowumi Isaac, of intentionally undermining the governor’s media and public communication framework in a bid to publicly discredit the administration.
Gbamila made the claims while reacting strongly to remarks allegedly made by Olawoye at an All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders’ meeting held on Friday at The Dome in Akure, where the commissioner was reported to have accused the governor’s media team of being inactive.
In an emotional response, Gbamila questioned the basis of what he described as continuous antagonism from the Infrastructure Commissioner, asking what wrongdoing the media aides had committed to deserve such treatment.
“What have the governor’s media team taken from you? Do they owe you money?” he asked, stressing that neither he nor any other media aide had ever received financial benefits from Olawoye’s ministry.
He explained that months earlier, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan, had set up a committee of media aides—chaired by Gbamila—to publicize the projects and accomplishments of the Aiyedatiwa administration. According to him, the success of the assignment depended on collaboration with the Ministry of Works, which was never forthcoming.
Gbamila alleged that repeated attempts to contact Olawoye by phone and text messages were ignored, even when the Chief Press Secretary intervened. He added that a meeting scheduled for October was effectively canceled due to the commissioner’s failure to respond to repeated calls.
He further claimed that Olawoye later instructed contractors executing government projects to prevent media teams from accessing project sites unless they obtained his personal clearance.
“At several project locations, contractors told us we could not carry out coverage without his approval,” Gbamila said, adding that he refused to be intimidated and continued with his assignment.
According to Gbamila, frustration eventually forced him to personally fund parts of the media tour, with meaningful support coming only from the Special Assistant to the Governor on Forestry (South), Hon. Bidemi Obayangan. He also acknowledged cooperation from other officials, including the Chief of Protocol, who facilitated media access to the Government House.
The governor’s aide also accused the Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Omowumi Isaac, of deliberately delaying the release of funds earmarked for public enlightenment and media activities for extended periods. He claimed that media aides endured the situation quietly to avoid creating instability within the party and government.
“Last year, funding for public awareness was withheld for six months. This December makes it three months again, and nobody complained,” he said.
Gbamila warned that continued attacks on the media could carry serious political implications, emphasizing that the media’s responsibility was to safeguard the governor’s image and ensure his achievements were properly communicated.
“If there are people you want to bring into the media space, bring them in. No one is stopping you. But you cannot discredit the media team we belong to,” he said.
He also revealed that he resisted the urge to physically confront Olawoye during the APC meeting out of respect for Governor Aiyedatiwa’s presence, describing the commissioner’s remarks as reckless and inflammatory.
Gbamila said he was ready to face any consequences arising from his outburst, including dismissal or legal action, adding that he would not remain silent while his integrity and work were being questioned.
“If this costs me my job, I will thank God for it,” he said, stressing that he would not “suffer in silence” as the media team came under attack.
He concluded by urging the commissioners to act with restraint and integrity, warning that any continued efforts to suppress the governor’s media team could have damaging consequences.
