PRESS STATEMENT
RE: FALSE AND MISLEADING REPORT AGAINST MY PERSON AND MY OFFICE.
My attention has been drawn to a spurious and malicious publication alleging that I, Engr Leye Akinola, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry in Ondo State, was engaged in political activities that conflict with my official duties.
Let it be stated unequivocally that the entire report is false, misleading, and a deliberate attempt to tarnish my reputation and undermine the cordial relationship I enjoy with my principal, the Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.
I have remained committed and dutiful, discharging my official responsibilities with the utmost professionalism and integrity. Any official trip made by me outside the state is strictly in line with my official duties and fully approved by the appropriate authorities. There is no iota of truth in the claim that such trips were politically motivated.
It is laughable and unfortunate that anyone would allege disloyalty or political alignment against me. I have remained focused on my roles as a key member of Governor Aiyedatiwa’s team, working daily to improve agriculture and forestry in Ondo State.
Also, the allegation regarding the misuse of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) is not only false but also highly defamatory. The Ministry’s finances are managed through a transparent system, and all expenditures are duly accounted for in accordance with due process.
The writer of the junk should have done his or her homework very well on my personality and antecedents before cooking cheap blackmails on my person and my office.
To set the record straight, I have never been an associate or a fan of the Minister of Interior, Hon Bunmi Tunji Ojo, neither do I have any form of contact with him. Whoever has any evidence contrary to this should please make it public.
And I would use this opportunity to implore the Honourable Minister of Interior, Bunmi Tunji Ojo to stop sponsoring the political jobbers who are attacking the Government of the day under the guise of support groups and thereby trying to create crisis within the party. This singular act is able to cause division in the party that has been united under the leadership of the Executive Governor of Ondo State, Hon Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, as evidenced in the last Governorship election where the party won in the entire 18 LGAs with the highest votes ever scored by any Governorship candidate in the state and has now unanimously endorsed the candidacy of our performing President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCON.
Whoever wants to secure the electorate’s votes in the coming general presidential election in 2027 in Ondo State for Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu should work in one accord with the executive governor of Ondo State, His Excellency Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.
And if it is true that Hon Bunmi Tunji Ojo eyes the governorship seat of Ondo State, I will personally advise him that he should wait until the appropriate time and timing and the zoning arrangements. Allowing his resources to be used by political jobbers seeking political offices against the unity and cohesion of the party is a wrong step that would tarnish his political profile as a young politician.
I am a loyal and committed member of the administration of Governor Aiyedatiwa and I remain focused on delivering on the mandate of my office and contributing meaningfully to the growth of the state’s agricultural sector under the leadership of my principal.
I urge the public and the media to disregard these false claims, which are clearly orchestrated by individuals seeking to stir political unrest and cause disaffection within the government.
Engr Leye Akinola, The Honorable
Commissioner for Agriculture & Forestry, Ondo State
10th October, 2025