@ SUNSHINETRUTH Report

The Director-General of Opomulero Group/Movement, Hon. Olasupo Olakunori Michael, has dismissed as misleading and unsubstantiated a report alleging tension within the cabinet of Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, over the alleged refusal of the Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Omowumi Isaac, to implement an alleged salary increase for political appointees.

Olakunori, in a statement on Monday, said the report published by SUNSHINETRUTH on September 27, 2026, titled “Tension In Aiyedatiwa’s Cabinet Over Commissioner’s Refusal To Pay Appointees’ Increased Salaries,” was built substantially around anonymous allegations that had not been independently verified.

According to him, there is no crisis, confrontation or division within Governor Aiyedatiwa’s cabinet, and there has been no occasion where the Commissioner for Finance deliberately disregarded a directive of the Governor or a properly constituted decision of the State Executive Council.

«“Ordinarily, we would not dignify a report driven by anonymous allegations with a response. But when a publication attempts to create the impression that there is a crisis within the cabinet of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, we owe the people of Ondo State a duty to set the record straight.»

«“There is no crisis in Governor Aiyedatiwa’s cabinet. There is no rebellion by the Commissioner for Finance. There is no confrontation among commissioners. And there is no directive of Mr. Governor that the Commissioner for Finance has refused to obey.”»

THE ADMINISTRATIVE FACTS MATTER

The DG explained that a significant number of the recently appointed political appointees are still undergoing the necessary administrative processes required before they can be fully captured on the state payroll.

He said documentation, verification, capturing and other administrative requirements must be completed before salary obligations can be processed.

«“It is administratively unreasonable to portray the Finance Commissioner as refusing to pay an increased salary to people whose documentation and payroll capturing processes are still being completed.»

«“Government is not operated through rumours, social-media narratives or anonymous accusations. There are procedures, approvals, documentation and financial processes that must be followed.”»

Olakunori further stated that the Commissioner for Finance remains a member of the Governor’s team and has neither the authority nor the mandate to disregard a valid decision of the Governor or the State Executive Council.

«“Mrs. Omowumi Isaac is a loyal member of this administration. She understands her responsibility. She knows that the Governor is the head of the executive and that properly approved government decisions must be implemented through the appropriate administrative channels.»

«“To suggest that she has unilaterally decided to disobey Mr. Governor is simply a narrative without evidence.”»

AIYEDATIWA HAS EXPANDED THE POLITICAL SPACE

The Opomulero DG also challenged what he described as the attempt to portray Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration as insensitive to the welfare of its political appointees.

He said the Governor’s decision to accommodate a broad range of political actors and stakeholders through appointments demonstrates his commitment to inclusion and grassroots participation.

«“Governor Aiyedatiwa did not inherit a political structure and decide to close the door behind him. He has continued to expand the political space and bring people from different parts of Ondo State into government.»

«“These appointments reflect an administration that believes governance should reach the grassroots. They are also part of the Governor’s broader political and administrative strategy to strengthen participation across the state.”»

He added that the Governor’s approach should not be reduced to a salary dispute based on anonymous claims.

ON RMAFC AND THE ALLEGED SALARY REVIEW

Olakunori also rejected the attempt to present the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) as proof that a particular salary increase had already become automatically payable to Ondo State political appointees.

RMAFC is constitutionally empowered to determine appropriate remuneration for political office holders, but the Commission itself stated in August 2026 that its review of remuneration had reached an advanced stage of consideration by the appropriate authorities.

The DG therefore argued that a national remuneration review should not be confused with an automatically activated state payroll obligation.

«“We should distinguish between a review process, a recommendation, an approval and actual administrative implementation.»

«“If there is a formally communicated and legally applicable remuneration directive, the government will deal with it through the appropriate channels. But nobody should manufacture a cabinet crisis around an obligation that has not been administratively activated.”»

WHERE IS THE EVIDENCE OF A CABINET CRISIS?

Olakunori questioned the evidentiary basis of the report, particularly its reliance on unnamed sources.

He noted that the publication itself acknowledged that the allegations could not be independently verified and that the Commissioner for Finance could not be reached for her reaction before publication.

«“You cannot publish a story alleging a major cabinet crisis, alleged confrontation among commissioners and alleged threats against a presidential campaign, then admit that the allegations were not independently verified.»

«“Where is the evidence of the alleged confrontation? Where is the evidence of the alleged threat to withdraw political support? Where is the official decision that the Finance Commissioner allegedly refused to implement?»

«“These are serious allegations. Serious allegations require serious evidence.”»

TINUBU AND AIYEDATIWA REMAIN THE POLITICAL FOCUS

The Opomulero DG further dismissed the allegation that political appointees were threatening to withdraw support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid over the salary issue.

He described the allegation as unsupported and said supporters of the administration should not allow unverified reports to create unnecessary political tension.

«“The people serving in this administration understand the political importance of President Tinubu’s leadership and Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration in Ondo State.»

«“Nobody should manufacture a political rebellion from a salary story that has not been established with facts.”»

CALL FOR RESPONSIBLE JOURNALISM

Olakunori urged journalists and media organisations to maintain professional standards, particularly when reporting sensitive matters capable of creating public distrust in government.

He said criticism of government is legitimate, but allegations involving senior public officials must be subjected to proper verification and the affected parties given a fair opportunity to respond.

«“We are not against journalism. We are against journalism that turns anonymous allegations into established facts.»

«“If there is a disagreement, show us the decision. If there is a directive, show us the directive. If there was a confrontation, establish it. If there was a threat, identify the persons who made it.»

«“Government should be held accountable, but accountability must be built on facts, not speculation.”»

NO CABINET CRISIS — GOVERNMENT REMAINS FOCUSED

The DG reaffirmed that Governor Aiyedatiwa’s cabinet remains focused on governance and the delivery of the administration’s OUR EASE agenda.

«“There is no cabinet crisis. There is no Finance Commissioner versus Governor. There is no rebellion in the cabinet.»

«“What we have is a government working through established administrative procedures, with the Governor providing leadership and members of the cabinet carrying out their respective responsibilities.»

«“The people of Ondo State deserve facts, not manufactured tension.”»

Olakunori therefore urged the public to treat the alleged cabinet crisis narrative with caution until concrete evidence is produced to substantiate the claims.

Signed:
Hon. Olasupo Olakunori Michael
Director-General, Opomulero Group/Movement