Ogun Prostration Allegation: Mixing Journalism With Hallucination By Olaniyi Ajibola

While the philosophical tenet of journalism implies illumination of the dark sides of the society, through information, education and entertainment, firmly rooted in objectivity and fairness, hallucination on the other hand indicates a false sensory perception that occurs in the absence of any real external stimulus.

This psychological condition makes an individual to hear, see, smell, taste or feel things that only exist in his mind but completely non-existent in reality. The psychological concept was introduced into psychiatry by the late French physician, Jean-Etienne Esquirol, in the 19th century.

Meanwhile, in any unfortunate situation where journalism is being ‘mixed’ with hallucination, the end point is always yellow journalism, a very dangerous and disastrous practice for every society, and that is what exactly played out in the case of one blog known as ‘Naijamixed’ by maliciously claimed that cabinet members in Ogun State do prostrate for the Governor ”when he is displeased with them”.

What a demented and cynical reportage to say the least; it metaphorically explains the name of the blog as a medium that has totally ‘mixed’ journalism with hallucination in the most unimaginable and disgusting manner.

The handler of the medium is either a rookie with high docility to the extent of allowing himself and his medium to be used for this hatchet job or an extreme hustler without conscience.

He could even be both, considering the inherent emptiness and lack of logic in the said report, where professionalism and sanity conspicuously missing in favour of deeply jaded, corrupted and pre-conditioned narrative.

It becomes more laughable when the medium trying to create a nexus between it’s propaganda and event of some years back when a former Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, Wale Adedayo, deliberately maligned the Governor and falsely accused him of diverting local government funds.

Adedayo’s colleagues, out of courtesy and in line with the Omoluabi ethos willingly appealed to the Governor for forgiveness on behalf of the erring Chairman after thorough investigation by the Ogun State House of Assembly and report of the Joint Account and Allocation Committee(JAAC) absolutely absolved Prince Dapo Abiodun of any infraction in relation to local government funds and asserted that every disbursement follows statutory process.

The action of the chairmen simply reflected their conviction about the magnitude of offence their colleague had committed and the cultural approach of seeking forgiveness as proper Yoruba people, linking that to tissue of lies in the report, therefore, is completely senseless.

Perhaps, the most foolishly concocted part of the absolute hogwash is that of the Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, claiming she prostrates before the Governor too for favour and forgiveness.

It is a known fact across the state and beyond that Governor Dapo Abiodun and his Deputy have maintained a symbiotic relationship predicates on mutual respect and trust without blemish since the inception of their administration, unlike in some sub-national governments.

There is no doubt that Governor Dapo Abiodun is a decent, sophisticated and urbane personality, who can never be intoxicated by power no matter the temptation or provocation.

The Governor, by his nature has a satisfactory knowledge about the human complexity and dynamics, and possesses the requisite capacity to manage people with dignity and utmost respect, irrespective of backgrounds and status.

Therefore, it is unthinkable that any individuals could accuse Governor Dapo Abiodun of such primitive tendency and arrogance in power. It is indeed too low for any publication no matter the level of sanity of it’s handler.

Naijamixed has without doubt missed it’s path as far as journalism is concerned, for brazenly peddling total falsehood against the Governor for selfish and parochial considerations and against the ethics and guiding principles of the noble profession.

Obviously, ”This life is dangerous not because of those who perpetrate evils but because of those who witness evils and keep mute”, so, as matter of importance and exigency, security agencies must swing into action and fish out individuals behind this cancerous story.

However, beyond these shenanigans, the personality of Prince Dapo Abiodun remains in the consciousness of the people of the state and Nigeria at large, as a man and political leader whose humility, decorum, calmness and sagacity fundamentally remain top-notch.

Ajibola is a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Strategic Communications