Posted by By MOSHOOD ADEBAYO, Abeokuta on
The crisis between the legislative and executive of arms of government in Ogun State assumed a worrisome dimension on Sunday as Chief Abayomi Majekodunmi, the Chief of Staff (COS) to Governor Gbenga Daniel, alleged that the state governor was poisoned by some unknown men some weeks ago.
The crisis between the legislative and executive of arms of government in Ogun State assumed a worrisome dimension on Sunday as Chief Abayomi Majekodunmi, the Chief of Staff (COS) to Governor Gbenga Daniel, alleged that the state governor was poisoned by some unknown men some weeks ago.
Majekodunmi who was accused by the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Tunji Egbetokun of being the mastermind of the attempt on his life last Saturday spoke at a press conference in Abeokuta.
He also reacted to his alleged involvement in the attempt to assassinate Hon. Egbetokun, describing it as a set up to blackmail him and the institution he represents, because of the refusal of the state government to dance to the lawmakers tune.
His words: 'I want to tell you that Governor Daniel was poisoned some few weeks back and had to be secretly flown abroad (to the United Kingdom) for treatment. We thank God that their evil did not materialize. I don't know why people would go this length. I don't know what Governor Daniel has done to them."
He also alleged that some of the governor's close aides had been bribed by those he said were in Abuja with foreign currency. 'We are aware of the infiltration of the governor's security by their sponsors in Abuja, doling out Trojan horses and huge amount in dollars. The money was traced to some elements in Abuja. Why would you give huge amount in dollars to a driver. To compromise his integrity?," he asked rhetorically.
The governor's aide who did not give the circumstance and nature of the poison, however, added that the governor was getting better, but 'had to slow down on his itineraries. There's no cause for alarm. The governor is doing well, we just want the people to know the extent of which some people are going in the state."
Majekodunmi, former managing director of the defunct Reliance Bank was asked to assess the situation in the state and he admitted that there was crisis. 'I will be wrong to say that there's no cause for alarm. There is major cause for alarm because some people are fetish."
Explaining the circumstance leading to the arrest of some of his aides in the official quarters of the State Assembly speaker, last Saturday, Chief Majekodunmi said: 'I went there with the knowledge of the speaker and I don't know why he turned against me.
'I was alone with him in his bedroom. I went in utmost good faith. A man who invited me to his bedroom showed that I did not mean to harm. If I was after anybody's life, will I go in broad daylight, park my car in front of his house and enter his bedroom. That is preposterous."
Continuing, he said: 'The legislators have resorted to blackmail, subterfuge and perfidy and there is major cause for alarm as the legislators will go to any length including being fetish."
Majekodunmi, who said the crisis between the legislative and executive arms of government was motivated by ego and gratification, also told journalists that the speaker had told him that they (legislators) would not impeach Governor Daniel but would do something worse.
Quoting the speaker, Majekodunmi said: 'The Speaker who I call my Aburo and he calls me Egbon told me there are worse things than impeachment. They want a declaration of a state of emergency. On my honour, I say categorically and unequivocally, the governor was poisoned a few weeks ago."
'We are daring them to impeach Governor Daniel and they will see. The legislators are paranoid. They want to destabilize (the state), then go to Lagos and Abuja for protection. There is a lot of external influence who want to destabilize the state and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He disclosed that there was a ploy by the legislators to blackmail the State Government to pay each of them N20 million, which, he alleged, they had been demanding for since the impeachment of the former speaker, Hon. Titi Oseni.
'They are not interested in the investments that come into the state, but what goes into their pockets. Some of the legislators had gone to obtain loans of about N15 million and they cannot pay and are now demanding for each one of them to be paid N20 million each. This is no oil rich state."
On allegation that arms were found in his possession, Chief Majekodunmi said he had licence to carry weapon.
'I have been carrying firearm since 2000, which I use for gaming. I was on my way to Osogbo to attend the wedding anniversary of Mrs. Olagunsoye Oyinolola when I decided to keep the appointment with the speaker. I am a law abiding citizen.
'Those people who were said to have been found with arms were my aides and drivers and were accompanying me on the journey to Osogbo. If I meant any harm as the speaker wanted Nigerians to believe, I would not have gone there at about N5.00p.m. I did not touch arm and I did not mean any harm."
The COS also accused some people he described as 'Abuja-based" as those behind the problem in the state, alleging that some of them had even started distributing sport utility vehicles to some notable traditional rulers and others in the state.
'I will not be distracted. I will continue to support the governor. He deserved to be supported. I don't worry about tomorrow. Those who continue to worry about tomorrow should continue to do so."