ACN gives Mimiko red card

…As Tinubu, others storm Akure

From TUNDE RAHEEM, Akure

Akure metropolis yesterday stood still for several hours as Asiwaju Bola Tinubu led other Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) leaders to show Governor Olusegun Mimiko the red card to quit from the Government House, Alagbaka. All the leaders including the National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande and all the ACN governors of Lagos, Edo, Osun, Ekiti, Oyo and Ogun states were in attendance. Tinubu, who temporarily turned to a pastor quoting several passages of the Bible described Mimiko as a man who had the opportunity to transform Ondo State but failed.

He said he had not justified the huge trust reposed in him by his leaders and the people of Ondo State having proved to be a serial betrayer from Ajasin, Adefarati, Agagu to Obasanjo. Tinubu also restated that he assisted Mimiko in his quest to become governor of Ondo State in 2007.

He was reacting to the claim by Mimiko that he did not seek and receive any assistance from the former governor of Lagos State before becoming governor of Ondo State. He said: “Mimiko said I did not spend money for him, that he did not collect money from me. The Holy Communion he always receives will judge him. He collected money and car from me.

It was Osibajo that went to Bristol and Israel to look for forensic experts. We spent millions in pounds.” Tinubu said Mimiko might deny the assistance rendered to him, but the whole world knew that the Ondo State governor betrayed Dr. Olusegun Agagu, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and the late Adebayo Adefarati. “As stubborn as Obasanjo was, he asked Mimiko not to run against Agagu, but Mimiko declined.

He challenged Agagu. Who has worked with Mimiko that he has not betrayed?” he queried. The ACN leader said there was nothing wrong with godfatherism, adding that his own kind of godfatherism meant well and not dictatorship.

He said he was not interested in stepping into the shoes of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, but emulating and imbibing the vision of the late sage. He challenged the people of Ondo to take their destinies in their hands by using their vote wisely to ensure that Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) became the next governor of the state because he was another SAN with a sound mind. Chief Bisi Akande declared that the people of Ondo State should vote for Akeredolu, described as a man of honour who would implement the ACN manifestos leading to unprecendented and sustainable development in the state. Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Senator Abiola Ajimobi took turns to urge the Ondo people to vote for Akeredolu, saying the choice represented massive infrastructure, educational development, job creation and prosperity.

In his speech Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) declared his commitment to transforming the state like other ACN states in the South-West. Reacting to his being described as a surrogate to Asiwaju Tinubu he said “this was not true but if that translated to transformation in the state through massive road construction, free education, creation of jobs, then so be it.”

He described Tinubu as leader of leaders who had sacrificed so much for the Yoruba race and deserved to be commended rather than being vilified. Akeredolu seized the opportunity to thank the people of Ondo State for their massive support and promised not to let them down if elected on October 20. He asked the supporters to have three-day fasting and prayer for success at the polls.