Security experts within the government described the move as a “grave breach of established protocol,” particularly at a time of heightened security concerns nationwide.
A security scare has rocked the Ondo State Government following allegations that senior protocol officials authorized an unauthorized change of drivers in the governor’s convoy, a move security sources say exposed the governor to potential risk.
SaharaReporters gathered that the Chief of Protocol (CoP), Mr. Olasanya Abayomi, and the Director of Protocol (DoP), Barr. Asonja George, are alleged to have swapped convoy drivers without notifying the Chief Security Officer (CSO) or the Aide-de-Camp (ADC), both of whom are responsible for coordinating the governor’s personal security.
Security experts within the government described the move as a “grave breach of established protocol,” particularly at a time of heightened security concerns nationwide.
“No driver attached to the governor’s convoy should be changed without clearance from the CSO and ADC. Anything outside that chain of command is a serious security violation,” a senior security official disclosed this to Saharareporters on condition of anonymity.
Meanwhile the incident has reportedly triggered tension among principal officers and unsettled junior staff within Government House, with fears that internal lapses could undermine confidence in the state’s security architecture.
Multiple sources alleged that the development has deepened mistrust among top officials, as questions linger over how such a sensitive decision was taken without the knowledge of those directly responsible for the governor’s safety.
“This has shaken the confidence of officers on duty. When protocol officers overstep security procedures, it creates confusion and vulnerability,” another source said.
More troubling are allegations that Mr. Abayomi may be working with unnamed individuals to politically undermine the governor’s security arrangements. While no evidence has yet been made public, the claims have intensified calls for an independent probe.
“These allegations are serious and cannot be swept under the carpet. The governor’s life is not something to gamble with,” a government insider told Saharareporters on Thursday.
In response, stakeholders are calling on the Ondo State Commissioner of Police and the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately investigate the matter to establish the facts and determine culpability.
There are also growing demands that both the CoP and DoP be relieved of their duties pending the outcome of investigations.
“The best practice is to step aside while investigations are ongoing. It reassures the public and restores confidence in governance,” a civil society leader in Akure noted.
Beyond the immediate incident, security analysts say the episode underscores the need for a comprehensive review of the governor’s security and protocol procedures to prevent future breaches.
“This should be a wake-up call. Protocol and security must work hand in hand, not at cross purposes,” a security consultant said.
However, Mr Ebenezer Adeniyan, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, denied that there was any security compromise, but confirmed that the drivers in the governor's convoy were reshuffled, adding that it's an annual routine exercise.
He said, "There's no security breach anywhere that I am aware of. What is said about swapping the governor's drivers is a routine exercise that is done at the beginning of every year.
“All the drivers are under the supervision of the Chief of Protocol and is within his duty to assign drivers to any office. It also affected the media unit. The driver of the press unit bus was swapped with the driver of Ambulance. So, like I said, it is a routine thing at the beginning of every year."