Ondo SSG’s Kidnap: Ondo LP demands Agagu's Resignation

Olusegun Agagu

The Ondo State Chapter of the Labour Party (LP) on Tuesday described the kidnap for a few hours on Monday of the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Isaacs Kekemeke, as a retribution for his sins owing to his active role in the massive rigging that characterized the April election in the Ese-Odo local government area of the State. The party subsequently called on Dr Agagu to toe the path of honour by resigning from office as it has become crystal clear that he did not win the April 14 election.

Some militants who claimed to be members of the Movements for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta
(MEND) had bearely two months ago fingered Kekemeke as the person who, acting on behalf of Dr. Olusegun Agagu, contacted them to facilitate the victory of the Agagu-led Peoples Democratic Government (PDP) in the Ese-Odo local Government over that of the more popular LP during the April 14 election. They insisted that a deal of N500million was thereafter struck with them by Kekemeke on behalf of the governor if they deliver. When the Governor refused to pay up, the militants kidnapped 11 top members of the PDP in the area who were not released until they were pacified with a ransom of N25million.

But LP in a release issued by its Director of Press, Mr. Kolawole Olabisi, noted that the recent
development coupled with that of the recent kidnap saga in Ese-Odo had made nonsense of Agagu and
Kekemeke strident claims in the media in which they told the world that they did not strike any deal with anybody in Ese-Odo or elsewhere to rig election. LP said that contrary to Kekemeke assertion that he escaped abduction by a hair's breath which it described as a blatant lie; Kekemeke was actually kidnapped and was released by his abductors who disarmed his security details and took him in their boat to their camp deep into the creeks to meet their Commander. The party said that the hapless SSG, himself an Ijaw was later released after parting with the N2million found on him and promising to help facilitate the payment part of their agreed N500million.

According to Olabisi: “Ondo State used to be the most peaceful Niger Delta State in the whole country. But due to Agagu’s inordinate ambition to rule at all cost when it was obvious that his misrule as Governor between 2003 and 2007 would not allow the people of Ondo State to vote him for a second term in office, he brought his militants into the creeks of Ondo State. Now, peace had fled that area as he refused to honour his pledged to his mercenaries so that they can break camp and go back home when he reneged on his part of the bargain to pay the agreed N500m.

“Now, the hen has come home to roost. During the electioneering campaign, Agagu had to part with a
hefty sum of money as ransom when his militants who had complained of hunger had to capture the entire security details of the embattled governor to show they wanted money. Now, Kekemeke, who had been accused in several quarters as the mastermind and the protagonist of the massive rigging saga in the riverine communities during which several people were maimed, killed and tortured has now been paid back in his own coins.

“We have told the whole world how election was massively rigged in Ondo State. Indeed, in the entire six local government areas that constituted the Southern Senatorial District of the State, Agagu and his minions did not allow election to hold. There was massive carting away of election materials which were later thump printed at locations other than designated polling stations. That was the reason why we cried foul and went to court to retrieve our stolen mandate.

“Now that the ugly events of April 14, 2007 are being exposed albeit by the grace of God Almighty, the garb of lies with which Agagu has robed himself with, since he stole in a brazen manner the mandate not given to him despite the cries of the masses who cried foul, is now being systematically being torn from his body. Our candid advice for Agagu is that he should have the grace to confess and resign before the very hands of God rest heavily on him.”

LP subsequently urged Dr Agagu to fulfill his contractual obligations to his rampaging supporters in
order for them to go home as had been their prayers so that peace can once again return to the beleaguered riverine communities of Ondo State. “A child that brings home an ant faggot infected should know how to contend with the riotous ants, a word is enough for the wise.”

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