The Ekiti State Government has refuted claims that Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s ongoing visit to the United States has cost the state $500,000.
Yinka Oyebode, the Special Adviser (Media) to the Governor, dismissed these allegations on Sunday, labeling them as baseless and a product of fiction.
An online publication had accused Governor Oyebanji of squandering $500,000 on a trip to the US, accompanied by 20 individuals, and remaining abroad for two weeks despite the event’s four-day duration. The publication described the trip as a “jamboree.”
In response, Oyebode issued a statement in Ado Ekiti, asserting that the government would not yield to such blackmail. He urged citizens to ignore the publication, which he claimed lacked credibility and substance. Oyebode clarified that Governor Oyebanji adhered to all necessary protocols for the trip, which had been transparently publicized.
“The governor has not overstayed the allocated period for his visit, has remained focused on the trip’s objectives, and will return this week after completing his scheduled tasks,” Oyebode stated. He emphasized that the allegations were unfounded and intended to distract from the governor’s commitment to the state’s development.
Oyebode reiterated Governor Oyebanji’s dedication to the six-pillar development agenda and the shared prosperity of Ekiti State, stressing that misinformation and sponsored stories would not deter the administration’s efforts.
