Dr. Olusegun Mimiko

Alleged load default: Mimiko replies Agagu says he should carry his cross The Governor elect of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko on Wednesday carpeted the embattled governor of the State, Dr Olusegun Agagu over a statement credited to his government that he defaulted in repaying a N3.5million car loan describing the allegation as baseless and a cooked up vendetta by Agagu over his woes at the Election Petition Tribunal which nullified his pyrrhic victory in the April 14, 2007, election.

Specifically, Mimiko, while stating emphatically that Agagu was aware that he had repaid the car loan in full as soon as he left as Secretary to the State Government (SSG) in June 2006 to become the Honourable Minister for Housing and Urban Development, described the wild allegation as unfortunate and unbecoming of Agagu all in his bid to tarnish his impeccable character.

Mimiko, who was on July 25, 2008 declared as the duly elected governor of the State by the Justice Garba Nabaruma led Tribunal equally debunked insinuations that most of the chieftains of his party, the Labour Party also defaulted in the  repayment of their car loans. He challenged Agagu to go to court and prove his case rather than embarking on this fly in the ointment and underhand tactics in the mass media.

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In a release issued yesterday and signed by Mr. Kolawole Olabisi, his media Aide who also doubles as the Director of Press of the LP, Mimiko wondered at the manner in which Agagu had been making vain attempts in recent times to drag his reputation in the mud warning that such antics has not only failed but was not in tandem with the situation on grounds in Ondo State.

“The hawk labours in the vain belief that all birds eat chicks. It is a shame that Agagu is just waking up from his deep slumber now in his desperation to try and tarnish my image. But the people of Ondo State whom I have served diligently in several capacities in the past know me and they gave me their votes in the last election until Agagu stole the people’s mandate willingly given to me. The court has vindicated us by declaring me as the duly elected governor of Ondo State. Agagu appealed
and rather than facing his appeal, he has been raking up mud with unfounded and wicked lies against my personality and those of my people. But he will not succeed. I have repaid in cash the car loan I took as SSG and Agagu is aware of this; besides, and I have my receipt to show as prove of this. This allegation is another in the series of Mimiko bashing that has become the hallmark of Agagu’s administration ever since the people of Ondo State gave us their mandate which he stole,” the statement stated.

Mimiko however has a final word for Agagu- “go and face your woes at the House of Representatives Probe panel which has indicted you over the scam in the Power Sector. Carry your cross and leave me out of your woes. If you are still aggrieved, go to court and we shall meet there.”