Olusegun Mimiko, the former governor of Ondo State, has said that he has no link with any anti-Buhari protest.
Dr. Mimiko, in an e-mailed statement to The Trent on Sunday, August 13, 2017 signed by Eni Akinsola, his media advisor, said that he has no hand in any protest as alleged by a shadowy pro-government group.
“The attention of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, the immediate past Governor of Ondo State, has been drawn to online and social media reports credited to a pro-government group attempting to link him and others with on-going anti-Buhari protests,” the statement said.
“Dr. Mimiko wishes to inform Nigerians that he has no involvement, whatsoever, with the protests led by a Nigerian entertainer, Charly Boy and some other political activists.”
The statement said that “as a proven democrat, the former Ondo governor is not interested in causes he cannot stand up to be seen as supporting”.
“His unblemished political career has been characterized by forthrightness. Simply put, Dr. Mimiko always says what he means and means what he says,” the statement continued.
Dr. Mimiko also reaffirmed his belief that President Muhammadu Buhari, who is on an indefinite medical leave in London, has fulfilled the requirements of the Nigerian constitution by handing over to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Dr. Mimiko is of the firm conviction that the President, by transmitting power to the Vice President, has fulfilled the proper and constitutional requirement,” the statement said further.
“He, therefore, cannot be supporting any movement that contradicts his convictions on the matter.”
The former housing minister also slammed the obscure pro-government group which made the “mischievous” allegation and said that the group was sponsored.
“The attempt to link him to this protest by an unknown shadowy group, is a desperate bid to blackmail him and suggest that he engages in nocturnal brand of politics,” the statement ended.
“This is, clearly, mischievous and, in itself, sponsored.”
The full press release is below:
The attention of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, the immediate past Governor of Ondo State, has been drawn to online and social media reports credited to a pro-government group attempting to link him and others with on-going anti-Buhari protests.
Dr. Mimiko wishes to inform Nigerians that he has no involvement, whatsoever, with the protests led by a Nigerian entertainer, Charly Boy and some other political activists.
As a proven democrat, the former Ondo Governor is not interested in causes he cannot stand up to be seen as supporting. His unblemished political career has been characterized by forthrightness. Simply put, Dr. Mimiko always says what he means and means what he says.
For the avoidance of doubt, Dr. Mimiko is of the firm conviction that the President, by transmitting power to the Vice President, has fulfilled the proper and constitutional requirement. He, therefore, cannot be supporting any movement that contradicts his convictions on the matter.
The attempt to link him to this protest by an unknown shadowy group, is a desperate bid to blackmail him and suggest that he engages in nocturnal brand of politics.
These blackmailers are bandying figures running into hundreds of millions, purportedly as funds released for the make-believe support.
This is, clearly, mischievous and, in itself, sponsored.
