In a statement issued in Ilorin by Dr. Muideen Akorede, Senior Special Assistant on Media to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, following the circulation of leaflets impugning the integrity and qualifications of certain government officials, the state government warned the authors of the publication that their actions are capable of heating up the polity, harm potential investments and dissuade other individuals from contributing to the development of the state.

Acknowledging individuals' right to freedom of expression, Akorede warned that such rights should only be exercised without prejudice to public order and the rights of others to dignity, stressing that the affected government officials reserve the right to sue the authors to court for defamation of character.

While admonishing the individuals to explore legitimate means of expressing their grievances, the state government said it has alerted security agencies to plans by the mischief makers to distribute more misleading leaflets at mosques and churches in the coming days stressing that those apprehended will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Religious leaders, the government added, should reject this latest attempt to use revered places of worship as platforms for scoring cheap political scores through character assassinations targeted at government officials whose only offence is carrying out their lawful duties.

The state government expressed its willingness to continuously partner genuine organisations and qualified individuals capable of adding value to government's economic development efforts under shared prosperity.