Daily Independent (Lagos)
Yaqop Popoola
13 July 2009
(Page 2 of 2)
No! I can't make an appearance to an irresponsible police, because, ordinarily before you declare somebody wanted, you must have invited that person or perhaps you write him. The CP Ola was reckless. But he had concluded his investigation that the alleged suspect was a criminal even before the interrogation. If you give somebody bail and he jumped it then, you can declare him or her wanted. If they respect my status as the number four man in the state, they wouldn't have done that. What the police have demonstrated with that act is that they have compromised their responsibility. I was told that they went to the magistrate court to collect a warrant of arrest. This warrant of arrest was not brought to me. It was only shown to me after my kidnapping. Like I said, this we are aware of all the underhand dealings. Sooner or later the public would be awash with all these. Some of them even confessed to me. But I leave that for now.
So, in Abuja I was treated like a VIP. I wouldn't want to know whether VIP means a very important person or prison. But I know for sure that am not a prisoner. Let me say this; that the way I saw the police in Abuja, honestly speaking I was impressed. Their conduct gives hope for an average Nigerian seeking justice. It shows that we can still have a better policing in Nigeria. I came to the conclusion that we still have the few who could make the difference in the system. I want to appeal to police in Ekiti to emulate the good virtues of their colleagues in Abuja.
What do you think had been responsible for these allegations about your person?
It is obvious. Without being told, I am not against Segun Oni, but, I am against injustice. I am in a serious battle with injustice. You remember that immediately that when he was inaugurated in 2007 he rushed to the old assembly who screened his commissioners. And that was the genesis of the crisis. There is no way I can support illegality and this is what Oni and his cohorts are doing. They are not comfortable with me in this regard. Whenever anything happens, they try to induce me with money and I used to tell them am not interested. If you have N20 billion if God says you will go begging, nothing can change it. The issue of money is out of it. As a Muslim I always think of what will happen to me in hereafter. I know that I will one day account for whatever I have done on this earth. So I cannot allow anybody's inordinate ambitions to rubbish my principles. And that is what the PDP represents in this state. They thought they could unsettle me, forgetting that I am one of the 13 members of AC in the Assembly and the weakest among the 13 members.
As long as we are still living, we shall continue with the struggle until sanity is restored into Ekiti polity. We shall struggle for the emancipation of Ekiti people. In fact when I write my memo, it will be very interesting. I must reemphasise that I have nothing against Oni as a person, but about the way he does his things. We are Ekiti and we call ourselves Fountain of Knowledge and Land of Honour. I doubt now if we still have that honour, because of the way things are being done in the state in recent times. Other Nigerians are looking at us. If he had got it right from the onset may be there would not be all these crises we are talking about today. I will not shut up until corrections are made. It is 'no retreat no surrender.'
There is a kind of apprehension in town that the present Assembly may not accept the list of commissioners from the governor. How true is this?
Let me say that the screening and confirmation of commissioners are purely our responsibility and I don't think we will shy away from that. It is contained in the Constitution. I don't see that bringing uneasy calm to the state. All I know is that the assembly will not surrender its integrity and honour to anybody. If credible people are presented we shall do our work. But if people of questionable character are nominated, definitely there would be problem. We have a governor in Ondo State who is from the Labour Party and highly dominated PDP Assembly and they still went ahead to ratify the list of the commissioners.
Is it true that the Assembly has an already prepared impeachment notice for Governor Segun Oni?
No. No! Nobody is interested in impeachment anybody. If people are saying that I think those who are nursing the fear are only being disturbed by their past. As far as I know in this Assembly there is no such move. Those who are contemplating causing crisis in the Assembly should check themselves.
People out there see you as a mean person. Who is Saliu Adeoti?
Saliu Abayomi Adeoti is Muslim from Otun -Ekiti. I have a very strong Islamic background. And I so much believe in the teachings of the glorious Koran and the tradition of the prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) that you are not a believer until you wish for others what you wish for yourself. You can say you are rich when others are hungry. Show goodness to your neighbour and so on. One thing with every believer is that we are always blunt. I don't want to suffer on earth and go and suffer in the hereafter. I am not tough, but principled. I will not compromise truth and justice. I hate injustice. Let me tell you something, I was with Mr. Governor before he was sacked by the Appeal Court ruling in Ilorin and he said something and I was laughing. He then said to me "Adeoti are you laughing, so you do smile?" I was also with Chief Afe Babalola sometimes ago in his office in Ibadan and he said to me that some people had told me that you will not come when I sent for you. In fact he was surprise to see me. So it is not good to judge people from a far.
What is your own comment about the recent Appeal Court judgment which nullified the PDP Senatorial election in Ekiti Central?
It is big relief to all justice seekers. Not only in AC but it cut across all parties. I want particularly say that it is a big relief to all members of AC. The judgment is a beckon hope for the party. It has shown that the truth is always constant. What Almighty Allah enjoins in all human beings are truth and justice. So the judiciary had assisted the Allah's cause with the judgement.
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