Kogi: Ag Gov, Okiro Spit Fire

Johnson Babajide, Lokoja & Niyi Adebimpe - 09.02.2008

The acting Governor of Kogi State, Chief Clarence Olafemi, has said that he would not be intimidated by the antics of the opposition.

Speaking with newsmen on Friday in his office, Olafemi said that he was not bothered by the court injunction sought by the opposition to stop his inauguration, but warned that he would not spare anyone who crossed his path.

He said, “I am not afraid of court. “After all, I have a case pending at the Appeal Court. “So whosoever goes against me, I will fire. “But if you are for me, there will be no problem.” Olafemi, who also seized the opportunity to debunk a newspaper report (not Tribune) that former Governor Ibrahim Idris had defied court orders by not handing over to him, said that the necessary handing over had been done.

He said it was what newsmen witnessed on Thursday. He described the development in the state as part of the experience of a developing democracy. He commended the people of the state for their maturity in absorbing the new development by not resorting to disorderliness.

He added, “Kogi is an example of where the rule of law is respected. “We in the government of the state have absolute confidence in the judiciary. “Whether it is right or wrong, their (judiciary) declaration must be accepted, no matter how unpleasant it is and the status of the person involved.”

While admonishing the people of the state to have confidence in his administration, the acting governor pledged to conduct a free and fair election as dictated by the law.

Also on Friday, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, threatened to deal with trouble makers in Kogi State. Answering questions from Saturday Tribune on the fact that Idris was yet to move out of the Government House, Lokoja, Okiro, said, “I just got the information this morning and I phoned the state Commissioner of Police, who told me that the former governor is packing his loads out of the Government House.”

He warned those who are trying to cash in on the situation to foment trouble in the state to think twice as the police would match force for force. Okiro noted that from the situation report, so far everywhere in Kogi was quiet as at press time on Friday as Olafemi was fully in charge of the state.

He said there was no cause for alarm on the preparation of the police for the March 26, by-election in Kogi State. He added, “We are lucky that it is only Kogi State for that day. “So, we are going to deploy all things necessary for the peaceful conduct of the election in that state.”

Meanwhile, the All Nigeria Peoples party (ANPP) has told Idris to quickly vacate the Government House. Speaking with Saturday Tribune on Friday, the Director of Publicity of the ANPP, Mallam Ibrahim Modibo, said, “That is typical of the PDP.

“We are urging him in the interest of democracy that his tenancy of the Government House expired the moment the court said that his election was illegal.”

Modibo also chided Olafemi over his statement that he would return the sacked governor back to the governor’s seat. He said, “The acting governor’s statement yesterday that he would return Idris back is a reckless and irresponsible statement.”
He said that by that statement, the PDP was

already planning a sinister move ahead of the fresh governorship election.