Akure, Ondo State – The Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) has expressed serious concern regarding a protest staged at its headquarters, which it describes as orchestrated by individuals with “unwarranted ambition and mischief.”
The Commission claimed that the protest, which occurred yesterday, was reportedly driven by personal interests rather than genuine community welfare.
In a statement issued by Godson Ewata, the Director of Media and Corporate Affairs, Starnews NG reports that OSOPADEC stated that it would typically refrain from engaging with what it termed “needless shenanigans.” However, in the interest of public clarity and factual accuracy, the Commission felt compelled to address the falsehoods being circulated.
The statement highlighted a military operation conducted on 18th October 2025, in the Obe-Nla, Obe-Adun, and Obe-Jedo communities to curtail illegal bunkering activities. This operation, unfortunately, resulted in damage to some structures and injuries to residents during a resistance against lawful arrest.
In response to the incident, the OSOPADEC Board, led by Chairman Prince Biyi Poroye, promptly visited the affected areas for a solidarity visit and on-the-spot assessment.
Following consultations, OSOPADEC sought and received the approval of the Governor on 7th January 2026, to provide humanitarian palliatives to the impacted communities, a decision that was publicly announced by the Chairman.
Contrary to claims made by the protestors, OSOPADEC firmly denied approving or authorising the release of ₦400 million to its Chairman, Prince Biyi Poroye. The statement further asserted that the allegation that such funds were fixed in any separate government account for personal benefit is “entirely false, baseless and a figment of the imagination of the purveyors of misinformation.” It emphasised that “government resources are not personal handouts,” and that accountability, transparency, and due process remain the bedrock of the administration.
To ensure fairness in the distribution of palliatives, OSOPADEC has established a nine-member Implementation Committee, which includes community representatives and is tasked with assessing damages and supervising the distribution process. This committee aims to prevent any potential diversion or abuse of the palliatives. “Several community leaders expressly requested that the palliatives should not be handed over to any single individual, but rather distributed directly by the Commission through the constituted committee to avoid diversion and abuse,” the statement noted.
The statement accused the protest leader, Pst. Okun Omosohane Michael Obadiah, of reportedly insisting that the funds be personally handed over to him and allegedly threatening to mobilise further protests if his demands were not met.
OSOPADEC condemned the alleged threats, asserting that “humanitarian palliatives are a privilege, not an entitlement, and will never be surrendered to personal control, intimidation or blackmail.”
The Commission acknowledged that entrenched interests might resist its reforms but remains committed to promoting transparency and institutional accountability. It also warned against the exploitation of religious platforms to mislead or coerce vulnerable citizens for personal gain, stating, “Religious platforms must not be weaponised to mislead, coerce or exploit vulnerable citizens.”
OSOPADEC reiterated that the distribution of humanitarian palliatives would strictly adhere to the procedures outlined by the Implementation Committee and affirmed its commitment to serving the people of Ondo State lawfully and transparently.
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