Dada Ayoola | Asiwaju Media Team
Akure, Ondo State
The Secretary of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Princess Abike Bayo-Ilawole, has dismissed as unfounded recent media allegations suggesting that ₦400 million was misappropriated in connection with the Commission.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday, the OSOPADEC Secretary described the reports as speculative, malicious, and far removed from the facts, stressing that she would not be drawn into what she termed trial by media.
Princess Bayo-Ilawole, who identified herself as the most senior civil servant directly involved in the Commission’s operations, said her position obliges her to uphold professionalism, institutional discipline, and strict adherence to laid down procedures rather than engage in public propaganda.
“By virtue of my position and my strategic role as Secretary of the Commission, I consider it improper to engage in media conjecture or malicious publications that are clearly far from the truth,” she stated.
She made it clear that her conduct in office is guided entirely by the regulatory framework and operational procedures approved by the Government of Ondo State, adding that she has no intention of compromising the law under any circumstances.
Reaffirming her commitment to public service ethics, the Secretary maintained that any genuine grievance relating to OSOPADEC’s operations should be pursued through lawful and institutional channels, not through sensational media narratives.
“Where anyone has a genuine grievance or contrary position, the appropriate and lawful avenue remains due process, not trial by media,” she said.
Princess Bayo-Ilawole further declared that she would remain focused on her statutory responsibilities and would not allow distractions to derail the Commission’s mandate, noting pointedly that she would not compromise her career for any pot of porridge in any manner.
Her statement has drawn attention to the broader issue of governance and accountability within OSOPADEC, particularly the distinction between the administrative role of the civil service and the executive responsibilities of the Commission’s leadership. Observers note that, under public sector practice, policy direction and financial approvals rest primarily with the Commission’s executive structure, while the Secretary’s role is to ensure procedural compliance and proper documentation.
By firmly distancing herself from the alleged mismanagement and reiterating her loyalty to the Ondo State Government under the formidable leadership of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, Princess Bayo-Ilawole positioned her intervention as a corrective clarification rather than a defensive rebuttal.
“That is my position, and I stand by it,” the statement concluded.
The development comes amid heightened public scrutiny of OSOPADEC’s activities, with stakeholders calling for transparency, due process, and clear attribution of responsibility within the Commission’s hierarchy.
