By Ayodele Oni
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has criticized the state government for what it described as an attempt to silence dissenting voices under the guise of fighting blackmail and cyber extortion.
Ondo State Government had raised the alarm over what it described as a disturbing and well-coordinated campaign of blackmail, cyber bullying, and misinformation targeted at the State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and other senior officials.
According to the government, the smear campaign is being orchestrated by a handful of individuals, including two legal practitioners, that have allegedly resorted to malicious propaganda after failing to secure political appointments, contracts, and financial favours from the administration.
In a statement issued at the weekend by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku, the government disclosed that the individuals recently demanded a staggering sum of ₦200 million under the guise of offering “support” for the Governor through a fraudulent and unregistered organization.
“Upon the administration’s refusal to yield to this extortion attempt, they allegedly launched a series of coordinated online attacks aimed at discrediting Governor Aiyedatiwa and the Attorney General of the State with baseless allegations and ridicule.”
Ajanaku described the actions as a calculated attempt to distract a government focused on transparency, accountability, and people-oriented development.
He emphasized that the Aiyedatiwa administration remains open to constructive criticism rooted in truth and fairness, but will not tolerate cyber harassment, deliberate misinformation, or politically motivated blackmail disguised as activism.
He went on, “The administration has shut its doors firmly against political opportunists and rent-seekers who see governance as a means of personal enrichment.”
In a statement issued on Sunday by its Director of Media and Public Communications, Wande Ajayi, the PDP described Ajanaku’s statement as an infantile attempt to paint the Lucky Aiyedatiwa administration as a victim.
It said such claims only reveal the government’s creeping paranoia and moral bankruptcy.
According to the opposition party, the administration has no moral right to speak about integrity when governance has been reduced to a bazaar of deceit, propaganda and self-glorification in the state.
“The only people blackmailing Ondo State today are those occupying Alagbaka,” the PDP said.
It challenged the government to publish details of contractors, payment records and the true state of the 2025 budget implementation.
The statement further accused the Aiyedatiwa administration of mismanaging public funds, failing to meet obligations to local governments and neglecting critical sectors such as health, education and infrastructure.
It also cited the ongoing strike at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), as evidence of the government’s alleged failure to address key issues affecting citizens.
The PDP cautioned the government against using the Cybercrime Act to intimidate critics, warning that any attempt to criminalize criticism and hound voices of accountability would be resisted.
“The people did not elect Governor Aiyedatiwa to trade insults with imaginary enemies. Truth is not defended by threats; it is proven by conduct,” the opposition party said.
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