Power probe: Arrest Agagu now –Lam Adesina

Former Governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Lamidi Adesina, has called for immediate arrest of the erstwhile Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, over his role in the series of failed contracts in the nation’s power sector.

Besides, the former governor, fondly referred to as ‘Lam’ in the political circles, also commended President Umaru Yar’Adua for his non-interference in the judgment of the court, which nullified the declaration of Agagu as the winner of April 14, 2007 governorship election.

In an exclusive chat with Daily Sun in Ibadan yesterday, the former governor stated that as a former Minister of Power and Steel in the Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, the ousted governor should be arrested and prosecuted immediately for the problem and fraud associated with the power sector contracts.

Said Adesina: “I think Agagu should be arrested now to answer questions on the power probe initiated by the National Assembly. Now that he has lost his immunity, he should be picked up by the anti-graft agencies to account for all the spending and spurious contracts awarded by him as Minister of Power and Steel under Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.”

While commending the justices of the Court of Appeal for restoring the hope of the common man in the judiciary, Lam described the judgment as “a very good one which has done justice to justice in Nigeria.”
He charged the new governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, to live up to the expectations of Ondo people by working assiduously to justify the confidence reposed in him (Mimiko) by Ondo people through their votes and commitment to his struggle and eventual victory at the court.

Meanwhile, the state chapter of the Action Congress (AC) has applauded yesterday’s judgment that gave the April poll victory to Mimiko, who contested the election under the Labour Party (LP).
In a statement signed by the Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Mr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, AC described the judgment as a vindication of the wishes of Ondo people as well as a bitter lesson for apostle of ‘do or die’ election in the country.

The party urged the victorious governor to teem up with the progressives in the country in the struggle to bail out the nation from the maladministration of “election riggers and electoral rogues masquerading as democrats in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party.”
Meanwhile, the new governor has warned commercial banks in the state against transacting any business with any government official in the transition period
A statement issued and signed by the newly appointed Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Mr. Kolawole Olabisi, also appealed to civil servants to keep vigil on all government property, funds and other valuables.

He warned that all violators of these orders would be sanctioned
In further reaction to yesterday’s judgement, the Chairman of Yoruba Socio Cultural group, Afenifere, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, yesterday congratulated Mimiko on his victory, saying that the judgment was the wish of the people adding, “we are happy for this country and for the boldness of the judiciary.”
This verdict, he said, has rekindled the hope of the common man.

Director, Media & Research of the Progressives Coalition (the body of all opposition parties and groups) in the state Hon. Bola Ilori, has hailed the judgment regarding the change of guards in the sunshine State.
Ilori said it is “the restoration of the hope of the people and redemptive balm on the excruciating alienation of the people of the state after about six years in the throes of Agagu’s inflicted pains and labyrinth of economic hemorrhagic pillage. It’s a refreshing new day, pregnant with positive progressive possibilities.”