Sunday, July 18, 2010
Akala is planning to assassinate me - Adesina

OLALEKAN ADETAYO


Former Oyo State Governor, Alhaji Lam Adesina, on Saturday raised the alarm that the incumbent Governor, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, was planning to assassinate him and some prominent leaders of the Action Congress.

[img]http://odili.net/news/source/2010/jul/18/punch/images/pix201007184253489[1].jpg[/img]
Former Oyo State Governor, Alhaji Lam Adesina




The AC chieftain's allegation came barely one week after the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, levelled a similar allegation against the governor.

But the governor's Special Adviser on Public Communications, Mr. Dotun Oyelade, has discarded Adesina's allegation, saying taking such "alarmist course" has become the former governor's stock in trade.

A statement made available to journalists in Ibadan, the state capital by the AC's Director of Publicity and Strategy, Mr. Wasiu Olatubosun, quoted Adesina as making the allegation against the governor at his Felele residence.

The former governor was also quoted as warning the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adisa Bolanta, and Director, State Security Service not to sweep the matter under the carpet, as they would be held responsible if anything untoward happened to anybody in the state.

"With the intelligent report at my disposal, I reliably gathered that Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala had concluded plans to kill me and some AC leaders in the state for him to realise his second term ambition," the former governor reportedly alleged.

The party's spokesman however described the alleged plan as a frustrated move that stands condemned by well-meaning Nigerians.

The statement read, "It would be recalled that the AC had raised this alleged plan by Akala's government to assassinate some prominent people in the state for him to actualise his second term ambition.

"Our fear became heightened when the Chairman, Oyo State Traditional Council, Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Abiodun Adeyemi III, raised the alarm over alleged plan to assassinate him by Akala.

"Prior to this, some people had raised similar alarms including the Senate Leader, Senator Teslim Folarin; Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, Senator Lekan Balogun, Chief Olufemi Lanlehin and Senator Abiola Ajimobi, who are all prominent Ibadan indigenes.

"This development is not alien to the politics of the state in recent times as it has been the practice of the government of the day to perpetrate different obnoxious acts before, during and after any election to satisfy his do-or -die philosophy of politicking.

"AC's fear is necessary, but for the inability of security operatives to nip in the bud the past politically-motivated assassinations in the country. It is still fresh in our memory the brutal assassination of the then Attorney- General and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige, prior to 2003 elections."

The party stressed the need for President Goodluck Jonathan, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ogbona Onovo, and other security agencies to beam their searchlights on the spate of insecurity which is plaguing the state as a result of the ambition of the governor and his co-travellers.

But Oyelade, in a text message sent to our correspondent, described the former governor's allegation as a wild statement.

Oyelade said Adesina was only replicating two similar allegations which he made in the wake of the 2003 governorship election.

He said, "That time, within two weeks he alleged that Alhaji Adedibu of blessed memory and ex-President Obasanjo wanted him dead and that the plans were hatched at the Ondo Street residence of Senator Ladoja.

"Alhaji Adesina made the allegation public without recourse to police authority even in his capacity as a sitting governor!

"Coming at this period and soon after a similar incongruous statement was made has therefore become an unfortunate stock in trade. But this is an old strategy to simulate crisis.

"Whoever advised Adesina to take that alarmist course has not done his reputation a world of good.

"Now, the law enforcement agents must reign in these people and force them to divulge all evidences at their disposal instead of throwing bombshell and running for cover."

http://odili.net/news/source/2010/jul/18/844.html

The Alleged Plot to Kill Alaafin of Oyo
07.17.2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010

As curiosity grows in both political and traditional circles following the alarm recently raised by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, about an assassination plot against him allegedly masterminded by Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, Tunde Sanni, in Ibadan, examines at the relationship between the monarch and the governor

http://odili.net/news/source/2010/jul/18/218.html

The aborted plot to kill the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, became the lead story in most national papers last Monday. But there was also a rider on the alarm raised by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, about an alleged plot overseen by the Oyo State governor, Adebayo Alao-Akala, to exterminate him. Adeyemi named a businessman based in Oyo town and a former head of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) as accomplices in the alleged plot. Expectedly, the allegation attracted anxiety in the Pacesetter State.

The monarch has sent a petition to President Goodluck Jonathan and the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ogbonnaya Onovo, requesting inquiry into the suspected plot.

The once chummy relationship between the paramount ruler and the governor has given way to mutual distrust. Many feel the cold war between the duo might not be unconnected with the alleged plan by Alao-Akala to alter the method of headship of the state traditional council by removing the permanent chairmanship position hitherto exclusively occupied by the Alaafin. But the monarch, too, was said to be unfavourably disposed to the second term ambition of the governor.

The frosty relationship between Adeyemi and Alao-Akala – once very close associates – has taken everybody by surprise. At the height of their friendship, the Alaafin was a common sight at both the Government House and the Governor’s Office – either personally or through emissaries. He had explained the visits as occasions to discuss “pressing state matters.”

During the inauguration of the state Council of Obas and Chiefs, the Alaafin’s loyal voice had overwhelmed the defiant voices of the Olubadan, Oba Samuel Odulana, and that of the Soun of Ogbomoso, Alao-Akala’s native land, Oba Jimoh Ajagunbade, on the permanent chairmanship position of the council. Till date, both the Olubadan and Soun are still in court contesting the government’s decision to make Alaafin permanent chairman of the council.

The rapport between the governor and the Alaafin predated Alao-Akala’s emergence as governor of the State. The bond had existed since the days of the impeachment of former Governor Rasidi Ladoja was being hatched. It was learnt that the Alaafin and Ladoja had enjoyed a similar chummy relationship until the former governor dared to alter the leadership mode at the Council of Obas by removing the consenting authority from the Alaafin and breaking the traditional institution into zones, with each of the leading monarchs in the zones presiding over the traditional council. Though, the Oyo monarch had headed to the court to contest the action of Ladoja, he, however, made a political realignment when Ladoja fell out with his former godfather, Lamidi Adedibu. With Ladoja effectively out, and Alao-Akala in, the Alaafin was said to have contracted a marriage of convenience with the new governor, which led to the overruling of Ladoja’s decision to remove the Alaafin’s consenting authority.

The marriage did not last long as Alao-Akala, owing to some undisclosed reasons, promoted the Baale of Ago-Oja, in Isale Oyo, against the wish of the paramount ruler, the Alaafin. Again, Adeyemi headed to the court and the case subsisted when the Supreme Court ordered the reinstatement of Ladoja. Interestingly, the same Alaafin who aligned with the pro-impeachment forces against Ladoja was among eminent indigenes of the state on hand to receive Ladoja back into office. But Ladoja chose to keep the monarch at arm’s length. The relationship between Ladoja and Adeyemi remained cold until the conclusion of the 2007 polls, which returned Alao-Akala as governor.

In order to guarantee a harmonious relationship with the monarch, Alao-Akala had to bend backward by ensuring that one of the Oyo crown princes, Hakeem Adeyemi, became the elected chairman of Atiba local government, aside other government patronages extended to the monarch. Alao-Akala was also generously disposed to the recommendations of the traditional council under the leadership of the Alaafin. Such advice included the fragmentation of Ibadan traditional institution through elevation of some village chiefs to beaded crown, in addition to renovation of their palaces and purchase of new cars for them. This was clearly to erode the influence of the Ibadan chieftaincy institution and wear down Olubadan’s opposition to the Alaafin and the Alao-Akala government.

Leading Ibadan pressure groups joined the fray, accusing the Oyo monarch and the government of gradual attempt to whittle down the authority of the Olubadan. However, while the attempts to grind down the Ibadan traditional institution lasted, the Olubadan remained defiant.

While the Soun and the Olubadan, on the one hand, and the governor, on the other, feuded, the Alaafin and his traditional council seemed to coast to victory, as traditional rulers fell over themselves to splash chieftaincy titles on the governor. But none came from the Alaafin’s Oyo kingdom. Sources claimed this did not go down well with Alao-Akala and when the offer of Bobagunwa and Yeye Bobagunwa of Ogbomosoland on him and his wife, Kemi, came from the Soun, it was time for rapprochement with his monarch and a time to cut down on his relationship with the Oyo monarch.

By the grace of God, Alaafin will be removed and disgraced out of the palace by the next governor of Oyo state. He does not deserve to sit on that throne, Alaafin is destroying the legacy of his fore-fathers. He only play with whatever side he earn money or favor from. Eventhough i'm from Oyo town, Olubadan is a more classy Oba than alaafin could ever be.

Do or die politics and now traditional? Wow

No one should have to lose their life over this.

Finecat:

By the grace of God, Alaafin will be removed and disgraced out of the palace by the next governor of Oyo state. He does not deserve to sit on that throne, Alaafin is destroying the legacy of his fore-fathers. He only play with whatever side he earn money or favor from. Eventhough i'm from Oyo town, Olubadan is a more classy Oba than alaafin could ever be.

ENEMY OF PROGRESS JUST LIKE YOUR PROBLEMATIC GOVERNOR.

[size=14pt]Oyo: Obasanjo mediates in Alao-Akala, Alaafin feud[/size]
From Tunde Sanni in Ibadan, 07.20.2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo may have waded into the row between the Oyo State Governor, Adebayo Alao-Akala and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, who recently alleged that there was an assassination plot on his life by the governor.

http://odili.net/news/source/2010/jul/20/217.html

The former president reportedly had closed door parley with the monarch as well as Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu, a close ally of the Alaafin, who is also one of the princes of the town and a revered cleric.

Aside from the Alaafin’s alarm, the governor is under pressure due to the grievances of some founding elders of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who are kicking against the formation of the cabinet and party at all levels.

The former president’s mediation role, which commenced last week peaked on Sunday when Obasanjo paid visits to both the governor and the monarch.

Information about the former president’s shuttle to the ancient palace was sketchy as at press time, but sources however told THISDAY that the former Nigerian leader might have persuaded the palace to resume his once cordial relationship with the governor.

It could not be confirmed if Obasanjo dabbled into the alleged assassination alarm of the monarch on which he petitioned President Goodluck Jonathan and other top security agencies in the country.

However, the former president left the ancient town for Ibadan where he reportedly held yet another closed door meeting with Alao-Akala at the Government House.

Again, details of the Obasanjo/Akala meeting were unknown.

A THISDAY source hinted that the meeting with the governor extended beyond the Alaafin debacle as it deliberated on the various schemings in the ruling PDP in the state and the opposition to Alao-Akala’s comeback bid in the 2011 general elections.

The source stated that the meeting deliberated on the need for rapprochement between the mainstream party and the aggrieved elders, who are on collision course with the governor over the control of the party.

The meeting, it was gathered ended with Obasanjo advising Akala to extend another hands of fellowship to the aggrieved elders and seek other ways of harmonizing them into the government in order to pave the way for a smooth and successful poll in the party.

The new leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) last week indicated that fresh party primaries would be conducted in some states which included Oyo as there reports before the electoral agency indicated that the initial primaries were crooked.

At the meeting between Obasanjo and Alao-Akala were former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Richard Akinjide (SAN), former governor of the state, Chief Kolapo Ishola; Chief Saka Balogun, Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu; Chief Jacob Adetoro among others.