Alleged hacking: Response to Daud Olatunji’s incitement against the Ogun State Government
The attention of the Ogun State Government has been alerted to the claims made by a blogger, one Daud Olatunji, alleging that his website (https://www.platformtimes.com.ng) has been hacked by the Ogun State Government and that his visitors are being redirected to the government website. Additionally, he suggests that state officials are monitoring him, raising concerns for his safety.
Because of the criminal nature of these allegations, which have been apparently made with intent to cause public disturbance, create disaffection between the civil populace and the Ogun State Government and subvert the hard-won democratic climate in Ogun State, the State Government will address them in line with the measures provided by law. However, it is important to note that the Ogun State Government has no involvement in hacking any website.
Even if a website was deliberately set up to antagonize the Ogun State Government and
poses a threat to the governance process, what this Administration will do will be to make its findings known to the security agencies. Hacking is a criminal offence and the Ogun State Government will not be involved in it, is not interested in how it is done, and will prosecute anyone/organization proved to have been engaged in it to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Indeed, but for intellectual hollowness, just how could a website which is virtually unknown to us and to the people of Ogun State be the means of driving traffic to the website of the Ogun State Government? Is it that the Ogun State Government has no wherewithal to operate its own website?
What kind of traffic is the author of that libellous, inciting publication talking about and for what purpose? Are the activities of the Ogun State Government no longer published by all the reputable media outlets in the country, whether print, electronic or online? What conceivable gain could the Government of Ogun State have hoped to gain from diverting non-existent traffic from a blogger? How many Ogun State residents are aware of this website and what is its earning profile on Google ad sense?
Since Daud Olatunji has made his inciting claim, he will have ample time to prove his allegations in the court of law. In the meantime, we invite the public to note that based on the information made available to us, the said Daud Olatunji is a serial blackmailer whose black record in media houses in the country led to the termination of his appointment in extremely scandalous circumstances. Olatunji has a questionable character and is seeking attention to revive his failing website.
Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that Ogun State has been peaceful and free of any political or media intimidation since Governor Dapo Abiodun took office in 2019. Our administration values the media and receives extensive coverage daily.
Therefore, we urge the public to disregard Daud Olatunji as he is a needless distraction during our period of progressive governance in the Gateway State.
E-signed
Lekan Adeniran
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ogun State
