Mimiko alleges plot to rig Ondo by-election
From Tunde Raheem, Akure
Saturday, December 05, 2009

Ondo State Governor, Mr. Olusegun Mimiko yesterday accused top politicians in the camp of major opposition party in the state of using their connection in Abuja to import mobile policemen to the state under the guise of providing escort for themselves to disrupt today’s bye-election in Akoko South West and Akoko South East Federal Constituency.

Mimiko said this while declaring open the National Executive Council Meeting of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Akure. He noted that the people who are mainly from the National Assembly are desperate to make sure that they win at all costs without minding the peaceful co-existence of the people of the state.
The governor also alleged that the opposition had also hired thugs to scare voters from exercising their franchise.

He said for the nation to be respected, all hands must be on deck to make sure that the electoral reform recommendation is not thrown into the dustbin.
“If we don’t get it right in electoral reform, our future may be bleak. Politicians are too desperate to win at all costs. This will not in any way help our dear country to grow democratically.

“Nigerian politicians prepare for election as if they are going to war; they make election a do- or-die affair. We should all stand up and fight the monster associated with our electoral system.
“If the electoral system is not given adequate priority, there may not be a nation called Nigeria in the future. That is why Nigerians must work in tandem to put a lasting end to desperation of the politicians.
The governor also described education as the future investment of any government that is ready to develop physically and materially.

According to him, the future of the nation rests solely on the way its leaders handle its great potentials in the education sector.
Governor Mimiko also commended journalists for always being in the forefront of the Nigerian nation with particular reference to the coverage of June 12 issue and his battle to reclaim his stolen mandate.
Mimiko said: “The story of Abiola and the June 12 saga in Nigeria is a testimony to advocacy journalism.”

EDUCATION IS INDEED A WAY FORWARD.

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After about 15 months of legal battle and days of anxiety, Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Akure, Ondo State capital, yesterday fixed judgment in the petition filed by the Labour Party(LP) Gubernatorial candidate in the April 14, 2007 election, Mr Rahman Mimiko, for tomorrow.
LP is seeking nullification of election of Ondo State Governor Olusegun Agagu, who contested on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Notice of judgment circulated to parties, was signed by Secretary to the tribunal, Rasheedat Rasheed.
Already, residents of Akure had been gripped by anxiety over what may be the outcome of the judgment, as people were seen discussing the matter in hushed tones.
Security agencies comprising the police, the State Security Services (SSS), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC), had already been alerted to provide maximum security.
State Police Commissioner, Mr Charles Dawodu, warned members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and members of the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycles Owners and Riders Association (ACCOMORAN), not to allow themselves to be used by any of the parties, and threatened to deal with anybody that foments trouble.
When THISDAY got to the tribunal venue located within premises of the State High Court, men of the state command of the Nigerian Police were seen guarding the place.
The tribunal had already notified leadership of the two parties, the LP and the PDP to send only 10 representatives each, while their legal team had also been told to send only 10 representatives each.

LP alleges arson attacks

From Julius Alabi, Akure
AS part of measures to ensure peace in Ondo State after tomorrow’s judgment on the governorship election petition, cities, towns and villages in the state have commissioned local priests to offer sacrifices to beseech various traditional deities.

Besides, security agencies, including the State Security Services (SSS) and Police, have visited prominent traditional rulers on the need to warn their subjects against violence in the state.

However, Ondo chapter of the Labour Party (LP) has alleged plans by the state administration to set ablaze residential buildings and offices of state government officials perceived to have jeopardised the governor’s case if the Justice Garba Nabaruma-led five-man election petition tribunal’s verdict favours the petitioner, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, of the LP.

The LP, in a statement by its Director of Press, Mr. Kolawole Olabisi, in Akure yesterday alleged that plans for the arson attacks were outlined at a meeting held in the Government House, Akure on Monday night.

But in a swift reaction, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Yemi Olowolabi, denied the allegation, saying: “Planning to burn people’s houses? Never! That is not in our character. It is the Labour Party and its soulless members that are in the habit of killing, maiming and vandalising people’s property. They burnt over 50 houses and 100 cars in Ondo Town alone last year”.

Meanwhile, Bishop of Akure Diocese of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Rev. Michael Ipinmoye, has urged fairness on the part of the judges handling the petition.

Ipinmoye said: “We want to plead in the name of Lord Jesus Christ, that we should allow the will of God to prevail in this matter and do justice accordingly”.

Tension continues to mount in the state over the pending ruling. Mimiko is challenging the victory of Governor Olusegun Agagu who was declared winner of the April 4, 2007 governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The State Director of SSS, Mr. Boma Spero-Jack, who visited some prominent traditional rulers yesterday, including, the Deji of Akure, Oba Adepoju Adesina, the Olowo of Owo, Oba Victor Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi, among others, said: “I am pleading with you because we don’t want any disaster in this state and we should warn our children and subjects not to engage in any act of thuggery”.

Oba Adesina invoked ancestral spirits to deal with politicians and political thugs who plan to cause mayhem after the verdict.

He charged all parties to the petition to accept the verdict and refrain from causing chaos in the state, as there are provisions to appeal the judgment at the Court of Appeal.

Oba Olateru-Olagbegi commended Spero-Jack for the visit, saying Owo Town is ready to work with the security agents to ensure peace.

According to Olabisi, the meeting where the arson attack was planned, had a younger brother of the governor presiding.

“What would be done by Agagu’s minions after setting ablaze these buildings along with others will be to pin it on LP members who would be made the fall guys. We are now alerting security agents in the state to be aware of this latest antics of the sinking administration of Dr. Agagu and to know who to blame when the time comes”, he added.

But Olowolabi said: “Without an iota of doubt, every one knows that LP is a despicable political contraption foisted on the state by a man’s inordinate ambition and it is bound to be shot into smithereens sooner or later”.