COVID-19 Prosecution: Gov Abiodun In Dilemma Again, As CoS, Top Aides Violate Lockdown Order

By ABIODUN JIMOH, ABEOKUTA

The League of Registered Political Parties in Ogun State has called on Ogun State House of Assembly and Governor Dapo Abiodun to order the arrest and prosecution of Chief of Staff, Mr. Salisu Shuaib; SSA to the Governor on Politics, Hon. Tunji Egbetokun, and the SA to the Governor on Government House, Hon. Tunde Olaotan for violation of Coronavutus lockdown order.

The LRPP in a statement signed by its Chairman, Comrade Oginni Olaposi Sunday in Abeokuta, compelled the governor as a matter of fact to discipline these high ranking government officials, and others who were involved in the invitation of hundreds of All Progressives Congress (APC) faithfuls to the Governor’s Office Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta on Monday and Wednesday last week on the pretense of the distributions of relief packages.

Oginni in his admonition explained that it was highly disturbing that the state government through some of her high ranking officers broke the Nigeria Centre for Disease and Control (NCDC) protocols by bringing hundreds of party faithfuls to the Oke-Mosan for palliatives meeting.

He narrated that the show of shame exhibited at the Oba’s Complex during the week clearly indicated that Gov. Abiodun’s government is only paying a lip service to the war against Covid-19.

“How can anyone explained the gathering of selected politicians from different local governments during this lockdown. How can one explained that the unlawful gathering later degenerated into fiasco that led to bloodbath.

“The information at our disposal confirmed that a group of misguided politicians who claimed loyalty to one of the governor’s aides, Hon. Biyi Adeleye from Remo North pounced on Mr. Benjamin Bada and wounded him seriously.

“In the same animalistic manner, these miscreants also descended on Mrs. Motunrayo Olawore with heavy beatings and dirty slaps.

“Is it not disgraceful that all these aforementioned ugly incidents happened during this lockdown era at the premises of governor’s office, Oke-mosan, Abeokuta.

“It is therefore laughable that a government who is constantly pretending to be fighting coronavirus war by locking down the entire state for an unbrokenly seven weeks running is at the same time organising programmes to bring politicians to Oke-Mosan in their hundreds to receive a paltry #2,500 palliative envelopes with outright disregard to the NCDC protocols on social distancing and social gathering.

“It therefore become pertinent to warn the Ogun State government that double standard in the prosecution of the war against this pandemic will be disastrous.”

Furthermore, Oginni stressed that bringing together of APC party faithfuls from various local government areas made nonsense of the government’s Covid-19 fight without any gainsaying.

“The unnecessary arrogance and impunity openly displayed by the top aides of His Excellency makes the Covid-19 fight by Gov. Dapo Abiodun’s government a mere charade.

“Some of the many questions begging for answers are: when did Ogun State governor’s office becomes APC Party secretariat; why should a government that claimed to be working very hard to contain Covid-19 be the one leading by bad example to break the NCDC protocols and lockdown orders.

“Also, why should a government who is happy to stop our churches and mosques from operations and from worshipping Almighty God be the one encouraging politicians to gather in governor’s office for political crusade.

“Recognising the fact that anybody coming to equity must come with clean hands. we hereby call on Ogun State House of Assembly and governor Dapo Abiodun to order the arrest and prosecution of the trio of the Chief of Staff, Mr. Salisu Shuaib, the SSA to the Governor on Politics, Hon. Tunji Egbetokun, and the SA to the Governor on Government House, Hon. Tunde Olaotan to serve as deterrent to others.

“After all, a renowned Actress, Funke Akindele was prosecuted and convicted for an ordinary birthday party in her sitting room.