Ekiti State Government has dismissed claims by an All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, Engr. Kayode Ojo, that he donated a fire service station worth N80 million to the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport project.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Yinka Oyebode, described the claim which was made during a press briefing by Kayode Ojo’s campaign organisation in Ado-Ekiti earlier in the week, as untrue, misleading, and designed for self-glorification.
Oyebode who spoke at the 2025 Press Week and Annual Public Lecture of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday, also urged journalists to always scrutinize claims made by political office seekers and separate the truth from falsehood before going ahead to publish or broadcast as news.
Oyebode said the state government has a record of total spendings on the airport project, adding that there is no record of any donation of a fire station by Engr Ojo.
“I can say categorically here that the claim by Engr Ojo on that fire station is incorrect, false and misleading. Available records in the Governor’s Office and the Office of the Technical Adviser on Airport Project show that the claim of false.
“The only individual who made personal contributions to the Airport project is our revered leader and founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola (SAN). In spite of the fact the elder statesman didn’t want his donations to be made public, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, had at different forum acknowledged Aare Babalola’s contributions.
“The records of project and spending at the airport are very clear. The project has remained a product of the state government’s vision to grow our agro-economy and open Ekiti to the world.
“The claim by Engr Ojo is baseless and there is no record of such contribution either by the immediate past administration or the incumbent administration. And if indeed Engr Ojo made such a contribution, let him come forward with evidence of the contribution, including the receipt and the name of the person that received the donation on behalf of government.
“What I do know and confirm from the office of the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Airport Project, AVM Sunday Makinde (rtd) is that the fire station was completed at the airport last year July, fully paid for by the Government.
The Governor’s aide also challenged Ojo and other aspirants in the governorship race to present tangible records of their contributions to Ekiti’s growth and development prior to their aspiration. He also urged them to toe the path of honour by making claims they can substantiate and make their campaign issue- based.
“Many of those jostling for the governorship seat today have not contributed meaningfully to the development of their local communities, let alone the state. It is not enough to make unsubstantiated claims during electioneering; the people deserve to see real evidence of service and contribution.
“At this critical period as the state moves closer to the governorship election, we appeal to journalists to always fact-check politicians’ claims before publication.” , Oyebode added at the event which was also attended by former Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu; Special Adviser on Information to the Governor, Rt Hon Taiwo Olatunbosun, representative of Oluyin of Iyin, Oba Adeola Ajakaye and other dignitaries.