Posted by From LUCKY NWANKWERE, Abuja on
The Deputy Governor of Lagos State and Labour Party's gubernatorial candidate in last Saturday's election, Otunba Femi Pedro has accused his boss, Governor, Bola Tinubu of plotting to eliminate him.
The Deputy Governor of Lagos State and Labour Party's gubernatorial candidate in last Saturday's election, Otunba Femi Pedro has accused his boss, Governor, Bola Tinubu of plotting to eliminate him.
However, in swift reaction, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan described the allegation as very irresponsible and unfounded.
According to him, Otunba Pedro is being pricked by his conscience considering all he had done to undermine the administration of Governor Tinubu.
Pedro at a news conference yesterday alleged that Tinubu had described him as an ingrate and Traitor an accusation which he said had elicited several attacks on his personality by people believed to be closed to the governor.
The deputy governor, who said he and his family now live in perpetual fear, warned that if anything happens to him, the governor should be held responsible.
According to him, "the governor had declared that I am a traitor, an ingrate and a treacherous person. The governor's basis for these derogatory remarks to my person is simply that I joined other candidates to protest the conduct of the elections."
"I am concerned that the governor's remarks and comments constitute a threat to my safety and security. His utterances are capable of inciting the people against me. I wish to categorically reject these accusations and place on record that I remain a peace-loving citizen of this great state."
He said he had been receiving telephone calls from friends, associates and numerous supporters, expressing concern and fear about his safety and that of his family members since Tinubu started attacking his personality at various rallies the Action Congress organized.
Reacting to the allegation, Bamigbetan said that Tinubu stood on his words, adding that Pedro had betrayed the conscience of the state.
He said that Tinubu had demonstrated an act of brotherhood and had allowed Pedro to play positive role in the current administration.
He said that Pedro should apologize to Lagosians for being so treacherous.
Speaking in the same vein, the Special Adviser to the governor on Information and Strategy, Mr. Segun Ayobolu described Pedro's action as an act of intellectual dishonesty and fraud.
"It is unfair and ridiculous for anybody to join hands with the enemy to claim that the election that was the freest and most peaceful in the country does not reflect the wish of the people. There was a spontaneous rejoicing when the result was announced unlike what happened in some other states," he said.
Ayobolu explained that security reports had shown that Pedro had been conniving with the Peoples Democratic Party to cause chaos in the state in order to give room for the declaration of state of emergency.
He described Pedro as an anti-democratic element, who did not only betray his friend Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi but also betrayed the governor and the good people of Lagos state.