OSOPADEC denies ₦400m allegation, says protest fuelled by personal agenda

The Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) has refuted claims that ₦400 million was approved or released to its Chairman, describing a recent protest at the Commission’s headquarters as deceptive and driven by personal interests rather than the welfare of oil-producing communities.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Commission said it was forced to address the protest to correct what it termed deliberate misinformation aimed at misleading the public.

OSOPADEC recalled that on October 18, 2025, security agencies carried out a military operation in Obe-Nla, Obe-Adun and Obe-Jedo communities following the discovery of illegal oil bunkering activities in the areas.

The operation, the Commission said, led to damage to some properties and injuries to residents when suspects reportedly resisted lawful arrest.

It explained that, in response, the Board of the Commission, led by its Chairman, Prince Biyi Poroye, paid a solidarity visit to the affected communities to assess the situation firsthand.

The Board also visited the Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base in Igbokoda to appeal for calm.

According to the statement, OSOPADEC subsequently sought and obtained the approval of the Ondo State Governor on January 7, 2026, to provide humanitarian palliatives to the affected communities, stressing that the approval was publicly announced and not shrouded in secrecy.

The Commission, however, described as false and unfounded claims by the protesters that ₦400 million was approved or warehoused in any government account for the personal benefit of the Chairman.

“At no time did OSOPADEC approve or authorise the release of ₦400 million to its Chairman. Public funds are not personal entitlements. Accountability, transparency and due process remain the cornerstone of this administration,” the statement read.

To ensure transparency and fairness, OSOPADEC disclosed that it constituted a nine-member Implementation Committee to assess damages and oversee the equitable distribution of the approved palliatives to the affected communities.

The committee is chaired by Rev. (Dr.) Ola Judah, a member of the Board, with representatives drawn from the Board, management, the community welfare directorate and civil society organisations.

The Director of Administration at the Area Office serves as Secretary.
The Commission added that community leaders specifically requested that the palliatives should not be handed to any single individual but distributed directly by the Commission through the committee to prevent diversion.

OSOPADEC further alleged that the leader of the protest, Pastor Okun Omosohane Michael Obadiah, demanded that the funds be handed over to him and threatened to mobilise protests and disrupt the Commission’s activities if his request was declined.

It said the Chairman rejected the demand, insisting that humanitarian interventions must follow due process and would not be subjected to intimidation, blackmail or personal control.

The Commission described the protest as a reaction to its refusal to surrender public resources to private interests, noting that resistance from vested interests was expected as the current leadership pursues reforms anchored on transparency and accountability.

OSOPADEC stressed that the intervention was purely humanitarian, despite the fact that the incident arose from illegal activities, and warned against the use of religious or community platforms to mislead or coerce the public.

The Commission assured residents of oil-producing areas that the distribution of palliatives would be carried out strictly by the duly constituted Implementation Committee, in line with approved guidelines, reaffirming its commitment to lawful, transparent and people-centred service delivery.