The Ondo state government and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have clashed over an alleged “coordinated attack” on the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. 

The state government had earlier declared zero tolerance for “a disturbing wave of blackmail, cyberbullying, and coordinated misinformation,” allegedly targeted at Mr Aiyedatiwa and some senior officials.

According to the government, a group of individuals, including two legal practitioners, allegedly launched a smear campaign after their attempts to extract political and financial favours from the governor failed.

However, the PDP has accused the government of seeking to weaponise the Cybercrime Act to “gag critics and silence dissent.”

In a statement in Akure at the weekend, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku, described the group as unregistered, fraudulent, and driven by greed rather than patriotism. 

Mr Ajanaku said their actions aimed to discredit and destabilise the current administration of Mr Aiyedatiwa. 

“These individuals demanded a staggering N200 million, claiming it was for ‘activism in support of the governor.’ When their fraudulent request was turned down, they launched a barrage of falsehoods and blackmail online,” Mr Ajanaku alleged.

He added that Mr Aiyedatiwa welcomed constructive criticism but would not tolerate blackmailers “masquerading as activists.”

“The government will use every lawful means to ensure such individuals face justice,” he said, reiterating the administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and people-centred governance.

Mr Ajanaku warned that further attacks on public officials would attract “swift legal and public consequences.”

“Enough is enough. Ondo State belongs to all of us, and we will not stand by while a few desperate individuals attempt to destroy its image for selfish gain,” he added.

In a swift response, the opposition PDP said Mr Aiyedatiwa’s administration was hiding behind allegations of blackmail and cyber extortion to avoid public scrutiny.

In a statement on Sunday by its spokesperson, Wande Ajayi, the opposition party described the gthe government plansnfantile,” accusing the governor of attempting to silence dissenting voices in the state.

“We are aware that the government’s plan is to criminalise criticism and hound voices of accountability. That plan will fail. Ondo people are no longer afraid,” the PDP stated.

The party said the government was “more interested in chasing shadows than addressing hunger, unemployment, and infrastructural decay ravaging the state.”

“Obviously, the only people blackmailing Ondo State today are those occupying Alagbaka who have reduced governance to a bazaar of deceit, propaganda, and self-glorification,” the statement read. 

The PDP challenged the Aiyedatiwa-led administration to publish the list of contractors, payment records, and the true status of the 2025 budget implementation, instead of what it called “cosmetic figures cooked up for the press.”

“A government drowning in scandals, opacity, and waste has no moral right to lecture anyone on integrity. When citizens demand accountability, the usual response from this administration is to cry ‘blackmail.’ It is the tactic of the guilty to play the victim when cornered by truth,” the party added.

“Governor Aiyedatiwa and his handlers should stop dragging the name of Ondo State into their petty propaganda circus. The people are not fooled – they see through the grandstanding and fake moral outrage,” the statement added.