… Says Ekiti Governor Should Be Called To Order
SAN FRANCISCO, January 20, (THEWILL) – A former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has warned that nothing must happen to the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, describing the controversial political advertisement credited to the Ekiti State governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose , as the height of desperation.
Akeredolu in a statement issued Tuesday called on all well-meaning individuals and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to call the Ekiti governor to order.
Maintaining that “the base and uncouth verbiage does not befit anyone occupying the exalted office of the governor of a state,” Akeredolu said:” The mere suggestion of the possibility of General Buhari meeting a grim end if elected should not be taken lightly. Mr Ayodele Fayose must be made to explain what he means and the information that he possesses that other Nigerians may need to know.”
Akeredolu lamented that “The ruling party, PDP, through its spokespersons, continues to assail the sensibilities of Nigerians with deeds and words in its bid to hang on to power by any means, both fair and foul.”
He noted that “ the pervasive tendency among Nigerians favours ignoring the puerile tantrums of those who seem to find it difficult to come to terms with the reality of losing power and the privileges attendant on the exercise of same without responsibility in the last 16 years.”
According to Akeredolu,”What started as a campaign to showcase the achievements of the incumbent president of the country, transited to crude abuse and downright denigration of the candidate of the main opposition party in the forthcoming presidential election, General Muhammadu Buhari.
“The ludicrous charges bordering on his age, educational qualification, antecedents in politics and adherence to his faith as a muslim, asinine and provocative, are regarded as permissible in politics.”
“Not a few Nigerians believe that politicians must concentrate on the problems of insecurity, corruption, economic instability and political violence.”
No one is left in doubt that the ruling party is not ready to campaign based on socio-economic challenges facing the country in spite of its repeated avowal to do so.
“The disinformation on the state of health of General Buhari, the release and liberal dissemination of falsehood on the purported diagnosis for a terminal illness is however deplorable to assert the least.”
“The latest crude assault credited to the governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayo Fayose, must be condemned by all well-meaning people.”
“Mr Fayose’s advertorial on the suitability of General Buhari to contest on one hand, and his “warning” to Nigerians to choose between “Life and Death”, ostensibly referring to the overwhelming support currently enjoyed by the general in the country and the ever-increasing likelihood of his being elected to succeed the incumbent.”
Akeredolu maintained that Fayose’s reference to former Heads of State who died in office is instructive even as he insisted that the suggestion that General Buhari will die in office if elected must not be treated with levity.
“ This is the time when all lovers of peace in this country must come out to defend her interest. The Directorate of State Security (DSS) should cast aside the embarrassing garb of undisguised partisanship and avail itself of the benefits derivable from the “clairvoyant ” Governor.
“He should be asked to explain to the whole world what he knows that is shielded from the rest of us,” the former NBA president said.
He warned those who may be planning something untoward to perish the thought, saying Nigerians will not accept any news of a sponsored “terrorist attack” which will achieve a contrived end.
“The General was lucky to have escaped once. Many Nigerians lost their lives in the attack. The choice of who rules should be left to Nigerians. It is uncharitable and very rude, to be mild, for some ill-educated persons to seek to direct their betters on the best way to govern this country. Nothing must happen to the People’s General,” he warned.
