Ogun Govt Disputes Afod’s Account Of Saapade Crash Response, Says He Is A PDP Supporter

The Ogun State Government has said its ambulance and Federal Road Safety Corps personnel arrived at the scene of the recent accident at Saapade, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, 10 minutes after it was reported, disputing Nollywood actor Kunle Afod’s claim that there was no emergency response for about 20 minutes.

The dispute has become a political flashpoint, with the state government accusing the actor of partisan motives, ValidViewNetwork reports.

THE GOVERNMENT’s ACOUNT

According to the government, a passerby reported the accident at the FRSC point in Ogere, where a state ambulance was stationed, at 12:18 p.m., while the ambulance and FRSC personnel arrived at the scene at 12:28 p.m.

The government explained that the emergency responders had to navigate the road and turn to the opposite carriageway to reach the accident scene at Saapade.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Kayode Akinmade, the government said the Ogun State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System responded promptly and helped save lives.

THE ACCUSATION OF PARTISANSHIP

The government did not stop at disputing the timeline. It went further, accusing Afod of politicising the incident and attempting to portray the Abiodun administration negatively through his video of the accident scene.

The government alleged that Afod was a known supporter of the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, citing videos of the actor campaigning for the opposition politician.

“It is unfortunate that a partisan Nollywood actor chose to purvey falsehood out of spite, making utter mockery of the respected industry he represents,” the statement said.

THE CREDIBILITY QUESTION

The government’s decision to attack Afod’s political affiliation rather than address the substance of his claim is a familiar tactic.

It is easier to dismiss a critic as partisan than to explain why emergency response systems are failing.

But the timeline tells a different story.

The accident occurred around 12:30 p.m., according to the TRACE report. If the ambulance arrived at 12:28 p.m., as the government claims, that would mean the ambulance arrived before the accident occurred.

The government’s timeline is confusing. The accident was reported at 12:18 p.m. and the ambulance arrived at 12:28 p.m., according to the government.

But the TRACE report says the accident occurred around 12:30 p.m. The government’s own timeline does not add up.

WHY IT MATTERS

The Saapade crash is not just about a delayed ambulance. It is about the credibility of a government that has promised to protect lives but has failed to deliver basic emergency services.

Afod’s video showed victims lying helplessly on the road, waiting for help.

The government’s response is to attack his political affiliation. That is not an answer. It is a deflection.

The people of Ogun State deserve to know the truth about their emergency response system.

They deserve to know whether the ambulance was stationed at Ogere, whether it was dispatched promptly, and whether the response time was adequate.

ADVERTISEMENT

The government has provided its timeline. The actor has provided his video. The truth is somewhere in between.

And the people are left to wonder whether their lives would be saved if they were the ones lying on that road. ValidViewNetwork reports.