From Okwe Obi, Abuja
The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has warned the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, to desist from meddling in its internal affairs.
The warning came on the heels of a legal battle between the expelled Chairman of NNPP in Ogun State, Sunday Olaposi Ogini and some officials of the party, who had taken possession of the party’s headquarters in the state.
Ogini had accused the officials of stealing N7 million from his office in the process of taking possession of the party.
But addressing journalists yesterday in Abuja, National Publicity Secretary of NNPP, Dr Yakubu Shendam, accused the APC and Governor Dolapo Abiodun, of taking sides with Ogini, by influencing the matter in court.
Also, Shendam questioned why Ogini would keep N7. 5 million allegedly belonging to the party in his office and wondered how the accused officers, Kilamuwaye Badmus and Kehinde Olowu, could steal the money in the presence of police officers that accompanied them.
He said: “We want to draw the attention of Nigerians and indeed the whole world to the on-going efforts by the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun to desecrate the temple of Justice which has the consequences of engendering anarchy, which Nigeria can ill afford now.
“Sometimes last year, our Party expelled our former Chairman in Ogun State, Comrade Sunday Olaposi Ogini.
“This was promptly reported to relevant authorities like the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Security Agencies like the Police, the DSS, the IPAC etc.
“In the same vein, the Police were further informed of the intention of the Party to take possession of our State office located at Car Wash, Adatan, Abeokuta,Ogun State.
“On the basis of this, Policemen from the Adatan and Eleweran accompanied our officials to take possession of the said office.
“However, the former State Chairman, Comrade Olaposi in dramatic twist, reported a case of “stealing” to the Police and accused our officers of burgling his office and made away with the sum of Seven million, Five hundred Thousand Naira only.
“Like I said earlier, our officers Kilamuwaye Badmus and Kehinde Olowu who led the exercise did so with the protection of policemen.
“Some questions are germaine here. Did they enter the office illegally? Could they have “stolen” the money in the presence of the policemen? What was Comrade Olaposi Ogini doing with Seven million, Five hundred Thousand Naira in cash (Party money) in his office?
“Is this not against the money laundering Act.? Why should the Party’s money be in his drawer when it should be in the Party’s account
“In view of all the above, under normal circumstances, this type of case should not give the accused any concern. But with the visible interference of the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun in the matter, it has become expedient for us as the leaders of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), to alert the World that this alleged move by the Governor of Ogun State is an invitation to anarchy.
“The NNPP in all ramifications is a party that believes in the rule of law. It is an open secret in the Ogun State Ministry of Justice that the Governor, Dapo Abiodun is interested in the matter.
“Therefore, we are using this medium to advise Governor Dapo Abiodun to leave the Ogun State judiciary to work without undue interference to be able to dispense justice without fear or favour.
“We are advising the Governor to face governance, the only reason, why he was elected Governor.
“We are aware of all the activities of Governor Dapo Abiodun on this case in Court. It is our advise that he should stop all these his moves so as not to throw Ogun State into chaos.
“He should allow rule of law to prevail. We are aware of what exists between our former Chairman in Ogun State and the Governor. That is not our concern.”