The Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) has responded to recent protests at its headquarters, addressing what it describes as “misinformation” about a supposedly linked ₦400 million payment involving its Chairman, Prince Biyi Poroye.
In a press release, OSOPADEC expressed that it generally refrains from responding to what it termed “theatrics and distractions,” but the gravity of the false narratives necessitated clarification. The release states that on October 18, 2025, security operatives conducted operations in Obe-Nla, Obe-Adun, and Obe-Jedo communities due to illegal bunkering activities, leading to damage and injuries as suspects resisted arrest.
Following these events, the OSOPADEC Board, under Poroye’s leadership, visited the affected communities to “express solidarity, assess the situation firsthand, and appeal for calm.” To further de-escalate tensions, the Board collaborated with the Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base in Igbokoda.
On January 7, 2026, after extensive consultations, OSOPADEC obtained approval from the Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, to provide humanitarian palliatives to the affected communities. This approval, according to the release, “was publicly announced by the Chairman, leaving no room for secrecy or misrepresentation.”
Debunking the claims made by protest organizers, OSOPADEC asserted that it did not “approve, authorise, or release ₦400 million to its Chairman or to any individual.” The statement emphasized that assertions concerning the funds being fixed in a separate government account for personal benefit are “entirely false, baseless, and deliberately misleading.”
To promote transparency, Poroye invited protest leader Pst. Okun Omosohane Michael Obadiah and civil rights activist Comrade Babatunde Omobone for a formal dialogue, explaining that a nine-member Implementation Committee was formed to oversee damage assessment and the distribution of the approved humanitarian palliatives.
The Implementation Committee includes various members from OSOPADEC and community representatives, ensuring that the distribution process avoids “diversion and abuse.” It was recorded that community leaders requested the palliatives not be handed over to any single individual, reinforcing the commitment to fair distribution.
The protest leader, however, reportedly demanded direct release of the funds, threatening to mobilize protests if his demand was not met. The Chairman rejected this demand, stating that “humanitarian support is a privilege anchored on due process—not an entitlement subject to intimidation, coercion or blackmail.” This rejection reportedly triggered the protest.
OSOPADEC recognizes that reform, transparency, and institutional discipline often face resistance, and anticipates further distractions but remains committed to “prudence, accountability, and service delivery” for the benefit of oil-producing communities.
The commission reiterated that the distribution of humanitarian palliatives would strictly follow approved procedures by the Implementation Committee and emphasizes its dedication to serving the communities it was established to help.
