Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
The face-off between two members of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Yinka Mafe and Adebiyi Adeleye, took a dramatic turn as the latter has reportedly gone into hiding.
Adeleye, representing Remo North State Constituency had, last week, alleged at a press conference, that Mafe ordered some hoodlums to attack him at a coronation ceremony in Isara-Remo
Mafe, who is the Majority Leader and representing Sagamu State Constituency 1 in the House, however, denied being behind Adeleye’s travails.
But speaking with Daily Sun, on Tuesday, from hiding, Adeleye, said he had to go into hiding for fear of his life and that of his family members.
He added that since he was reluctantly granted bail last week Wednesday, following his arrest and 18 others on the evening of June 4 at his constituency office in Isara by men of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), the state government has been making efforts to rearrest him on trump up charges of illegal possession of arms, murder and armed robbery.
Adeleye, who insisted that Mafe has been conspiring with the state government to ‘cage’ him ahead of the 2019 general election, disclosed his house in Isara was stormed by suspected hoodlums, adding his wife and children escaped unhurt narrowly.
The lawmaker further said that 18 of his supporters arrested with him, had been arraigned and remanded in prison custody on charges concocted by the state government.
He noted that his interaction with the state Commissioner of Police on the matter, indicated that the CP could not help his situation as the instruction to deal with him, came from the governor.
He added that some influential personalities in the state have reached out to the governor on the matter, saying while he denied having a hand on the issue to some of them, the governor vowed to some that he would punish him for defecting from APC.
Adeleye, however, said he will remain in “exile” until his safety and that of his family can be guaranteed, calling on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, to wade into the matter.
When contacted to react on behalf of the government, the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Dayo Adeneye, said he could not react to a mere rumour.