While addressing Newsmen after a reconciliation meeting at the Eko Hotel in Lagos, the Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose and the former PDP secretary in Ekiti State, Dr Tope Aluko both announced to the world they are letting go of the past and moving forward.

Dr Aluko, who looked exceptionally sober, said the reconciliation is a product of efforts by well-meaning Nigerians which had achieved peace between the duo. Governor Fayose, standing next to him, said Aluko is his brother and son, adding that if he leaves him now no one in the world will be with him.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWpFCtbTiX8 

You will recall however, that Dr Tope Aluko had appeared on Channels TV less than three months ago, where he made damning allegations that the 2014 Governorship Election in Ekiti State was rigged in favour of the PDP candidate now Governor, Ayodele Fayose, months after testifying in court that the poll was free, fair and credible.

During the interview, he gave credence to an highly controversial audio recording of a meeting of PDP chieftains and Military officers a night before the polls leaked by one Captain Sagir Koli.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ff72mv53BQU 

They are heard on tape discussing the use of the Nigerian military to assist in electoral manipulation. The content include very incriminating details like the creation of a list of APC members to arrest, the use of stickers to be used to identify persons not to be detained by the Army Deployment of “Special Team” including a “Strike Force” among others.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs2MD9AC4iA

Months after the development, little have been heard about investigating the authenticity of the rather convincing audio recording, let alone prosecuting the parties allegedly involved. However, the loudest public concern has been what happens to the Man who recently willingly testified to being a part of rigging process on National TV?

Strangely, the APC did not tender the leaked audio recording as evidence at the election petition tribunal for reasons best known to them. It's either it wasn't admissible or they are convinced the loss at the polls stemmed from factors other than an alleged plot to rig.
In an interview with Alhaji Lai Mohammed, APC Spokesman, at the wake of the leak, he chose to emphasize the moral injustice of the leaked audio recording than its huge relevance at the court of law.

Close to a year after the controversial leaked tape, the Nigerian Army Council retired Brig. Gen. Aliyu Momoh, and other officers - an action considered a slap on the wrist, in connection with the recommendations of the panel set up by the Army authorities to look into allegations of professional misconduct against military personnel during the polls.


Captain Sagir Koli, the whistle blower who leaked the audio recording is reportedly back from exile and was recently praised by the Nigerian Army.
Now that Dr Tope Aluko has recanted the reconciliation talk less than 24 hours after the Eko Hotel Press interview, claiming he was tricked by Governor Fayose, it further confirms the level of decadence the Nigerian political society is made of and the apparent disregard for broad day evidence that indicts a group of people of Electoral malpractice.

Like many other cases, his pending prosecution for perjury at a magistrate court in Ado Ekiti is expected to die a natural death. And Just as the perpetrators of the recent violence in the rivers state re-run election which killed a corps member are not likely to be prosecuted, the biggest evidence of Electoral fraud in Nigeria's modern democracy is also being flushed down historic drain.

Apparently, nothing is really CHANGING. Well, hopefully not yet. My best guess however is that just like previous elections, the 2019 polls will not fair any better if evidences of Electoral malpractice and violence are not properly investigated and the culprits prosecuted.

Bearing in mind however that future election riggers are watching this melodrama of political Reunion that can be best titled; HOW TO GET AWAY WITH RIGGING!


Nifemi Oguntoye
Broadcast Journalist
nifemioguntoye@yahoo.com