The Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu has accused a member of the House of Representatives from Oyo State, Honourable Saheed Akinade Fijabi of fighting what he called a ‘proxy war’ against him (Shittu).
Shittu made this revelation while featuring on a Southwest Group of Online Publishers (SWEGOP) media chat on Saturday.
Honourable Fijabi had directly indicted Shittu of ‘frustrating’ some of his initiatives to bring ‘dividends of democracy’ to Oyo State when he featured on SWEGOP’s media chat some weeks ago. Shittu, however, took his time to respond.
According to the Minister, “You Journalists must also help matters. You should have asked him to mention just one ‘initiative’ he made that I frustrated. We members of the Federal Executive Council cannot approve projects. The Legislators approve. There are laws to be followed.
“I have been using my office to attract projects to Oyo State. So far, I have attracted over 350 million naira worth of projects to the state. More are coming.
“You see, the problem they all have is my ambition to become the next Governor of Oyo State. And I have a legitimate right to aspire to become anything I wish in Nigeria.
“That they are accusing me of frustrating their plans to attract projects to Oyo State is not right. I reject that accusation.
“As a matter of fact, if you see anybody complaining about my ambition, ask him or her what his problem is. So, Fijabi and others are just out to fight proxy war against me.
“Those fighting ‘proxy’ war believing they are fighting on behalf of Governor Abiola Ajimobi need to watch it. My relationship with Ajimobi dates back to 2007 when Governor Rasheed Ladoja asked me to put together a legal team to defend Ajimobi’s mandate when he contested for the gubernatorial seat of the state under All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). I did my best for him then.
Shittu also took time to talk about the allegation of being a ‘religious fanatic’ that is constantly being leveled against him.
His words “those who accuse me of being a religious fanatic are shallow. When next you are told that I am a religious fanatic, tell the person saying it to give you specific example, instance or instances. We must probe further. You cannot just accuse me of something you cannot prove.
“If you say that because I do not drink or steal government money and engage in some of your frivolous activities, then I am a fanatic, then, I do not have any apology to offer anybody. Just ask them what their problem is.
“I will say it here that I am not corrupt. If anybody has contrary opinion, he should step out. In my years in politics and holding public offices, I have never been accused of corruption. I appeal to our people to go for a religious person that is God-fearing for a change.
“Like I said, their problem is my governorship ambition and I will achieve my ambition, by the grace of God, I will be governor of Oyo State in 2019.
When asked to talk about how he intends to run the state if he becomes governor, his response “I will do everything differently. There are so many projects being carried out by the government that are not necessary or relevant.
“Let me say it here that we will organize a free and fair local government election in the state within 100 days of our administration in Oyo State. We will also make life more abundant for the people of the state.”
Shittu also took time to discuss about his fellow contestants and why he is sure of becoming the next governor of the state.
“It has been reported that over 30 of us are jostling to become the governor of the state – that is good. But I will tell you here that I am the most qualified. I am the only one with the right exposure. Remember that I became a member of the state’s House of Assembly at the age of 26 and I am 63 now. Since then, I have been commissioner and held several other offices. Now, I am, by the grace of God the Minister in charge of one of the country’s biggest sectors. In addition, I had direct training from the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo”.
When asked if he was planning to use his closeness to President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure he clinches the ticket of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Shittu smiled and said “those saying that about are the ones relying on Governor Abiola Ajimobi to secure the ticket.
“Ask them, I am the only one insisting on the need to hold primaries. We will have free and fair primaries. If you win, you become the candidate of the party and we will all support you.
“You see, there is no local government election in the state and they are not speaking out. Where others are complacent, I will not be. Ask the APC executives in the state, they will tell you that I am the one trying to liberate them.
Shittu also reacted to a question that had to do with his present relationship with the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Dr Ganiyu Adekunle Salawu, Ologuunebi, Ajinase I.
He explained “I don’t know why he is quarreling with me. I don’t start a fight but I don’t run away from a fight if attacked. I am not a violent man. The issue is just envy.
“You see, there was a time, I think December last year, I was supposed to attend an event in Iseyin but I had to represent Mr President in Ilorin. So, on my way from Ilorin, I branched at Iseyin, the event had ended and I decided to check the Aseyin at the Palace, they said he had gone to his house and I went there to check him. When I got there, he was with two others drinking alcohol. As I got there, he got involved in physical bout with one of his aides. I did not know what caused it.
“Anyway, when I was leaving, I gave his two wives 20 thousand naira each out of the 50 thousand I had with me. It was after that he started telling people that I am stingy. And it takes a greedy person to identify a stingy person. His reported outburst that I’m stingy is a minority outburst. Our people should ignore him.
“I am not owing him. I am not obliged to give him money. The people of Oke Ogun love me. I am sure he is on his own.”
Shittu also revealed that all the nine other aspirants for the coveted Oyo gubernatorial seat from Oke Ogun sector of the state will step down and support him.
His words “They will step down and support me. I also believe that Governor Ajimobi will support me too. I am sure he appreciates what Oke Ogun did for him before he could secure his second term as governor. Ibadan people did not vote for him.”
Packaged by Alice Egbedele, Kunle Gazali and Omotoyosi Jesuleye
