Posted by By RAZAQ BAMIDELE on
The Lagos chapter of the Action Congress (AC) had cleared the air over the allegation of assault leveled against the state Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Muiz Banire by the Executive Secretary of Mushin Local Government, Hon. Seye Oladejo, saying the commissioner did not assault anybody.
•Clears Banire of any complicity
The Lagos chapter of the Action Congress (AC) had cleared the air over the allegation of assault leveled against the state Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Muiz Banire by the Executive Secretary of Mushin Local Government, Hon. Seye Oladejo, saying the commissioner did not assault anybody.
The state Publicity Secretay of the party, Chief Joe Igbokwe in a statement categorically stated that 'Dr. Banire did not engage in any exchange of assault with anybody in party secretariat on the said day," just as he described the Environment commissioner as 'a respected party leader."
In recent time, newspapers were awash with reports that the commissioner allegedly slapped the local government boss over a disagreement on who was eligible to collect gifts for party members in Mushin area.
While putting the records in proper perspective, the AC spokesman made it abundantly clear that only 'local government functionaries at party levels were contacted to come and take delivery of their lot," pointing out that when 'the party's Chairman, Ward C1, Mushin, Mr. Rasak Amao approached the Welfare Officer, Mrs Vanghan to collect the council's allocation" on behalf of the chairman, who could not come, he needed proper identification in line with the strict identification guidelines laid down by the party Chairman, Hon Henry Dele Ajomale.
According to Igbokwe, Amao had to seek the assistance of the commissioner, Dr. Banire, a senior party member, who had to come to the secretariat to sign for the consignment, adding that Banire left immediately after signing for Amao to collect the items.
Igbokwe informed further that the council boss, Oladejo later came to oppose the decision to allow Amao take the delivery wondering who signed for the consignment.
Oladejo, Igbokwe disclosed, protested Banire's involvement, an issue that was later resolved while he along with others left the secretariat only for a member of the Lagos House of Assembly, Hon. B.Y. Ayinla to report back to the secretariat that Oladejo and Amao had an altercation outside the office and that Oladejo slipped and fell before Ayinla helped him back to his feet.
Igbokwe then expressed shock to read in newspapers reports that thugs beat Hon. Oladejo at the AC secretariat asserting with the presence of policemen and strict screening of eligible members into the premises, no unauthorized person could have found his way inside.
While refuting the report that Banire slapped a council boss and describing it as figment of imagination of devilish elements, who want to paint the party black, Igbokwe stated unequivocally that 'Dr. Banire did not engage in any exchange of assult with anybody in our party secretariat on that day (December 16, 2007)."
'We believe that the story is politically motivated and designed to malign the image of Dr. Banire, who is a respected party leader, as well as tanish the reputation of our great party and law abiding members." Igbokwe stated, adding 'the Action Congress hereby asserts categorically that no such incident took place."
He therefore urged the media 'to give this truthful account the mileage that it truly deserves" because according to him the matter had to do with the party's integrity.