A group, Congress of South-West Youths (COWSY), has criticised the Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, Dr Doyin Okupe, over his recent call for resignation of the Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji.

Okupe had recently called for Ikuforiji’s resignation based on his pending trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the charge of money laundering.

The group, at a press conference on Thursday, described the call by Okupe as misguided and uncouth, adding that it was yet to fathom why Okupe, “an old man in his mid 60s, could descend so low as to take the offer to be an attack dog to President Goodluck Jonathan administration.

“We wonder why he would be an attack dog to Jonathan’s administration to the extent that every well-meaning individual or group having opposing views to that of the Federal Government has become a potential target for mudslinging and malignant attack in the media,” the group said.

“What penchant for public relevance or monetary gain could have prompted Okupe to make unfounded and prejudicial vituperations about a case that is already undergoing trial in court?” the group queried.

The group noted that it was contemptuous for anybody to suggest that the Speaker of the Lagos assemby should resign when the law is explicit on the fact that a person standing trial in court should be presumed innocent until when proven guilty by a competent and independent law court.

COWSY stated that contrary to Okupe’s blackmail against Ikuforiji, “it is sacrosanct that the rule of law should reign supreme in matters of this nature, while the court remains the final arbiter in any matter of dispute.”

“The truth of the matter is even that Mr. Speaker was never accused of misappropriation of funds, neither is he being tried in the court for corruption. It is on record that the EFCC officials in their investigation could not trace any stolen money to Ikuforiji in relation to fraud or misappropriation.

“The body language of President Jonathan and his hired hatchet men like Okupe has clearly shown that the PDP is all out to destabilise Lagos and the entire South west by hiding behind one finger to divert the attention of the people from the failings and shortcomings of the Federal Government in addressing lingering issues of national importance,” the group stated.

Comments (6)

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Mr.
written by AdeE, August 17, 2012

Shut up and read along the line. If the President is asked to resign, who is the Lagos Zhouse of Assembly Speaker. You people put our nation (Yoruba) into disagreement with others. Forget about Lying Mahammed and his unnecessary calls.

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South-west politics of intolerance
written by South-west politics, August 17, 2012

Only God will save this nation from destabilization from south-west politics of intolerance. Other regions in Nigeria has known south-west for their kind of politics. Hausas and other regions don't attack themselves anyhow because of politics until they got infiltrated by south-west politicians.

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LAGOS SPEAKER
written by Mena Otobo-Martins, August 19, 2012

“What penchant for public relevance or monetary gain could have prompted Okupe to make unfounded and prejudicial vituperations about a case that is already undergoing trial in court?”
If the above were true as they have stated how come would they say EFCC has found nothing against him?
I did not read Okupe's statement but the point I want to make here is that in civilised societies and I think Nigeria is, the speaker should have resigned and not wait till proved guilty or otherwise. This is purely amala politics that this group are into. Shame?

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LAGOS SPEAKER
written by Mena Otobo-Martins, August 19, 2012

“What penchant for public relevance or monetary gain could have prompted Okupe to make unfounded and prejudicial vituperations about a case that is already undergoing trial in court?” the group queried.
Since they have stated the above how could this group say in another breath that EFCC has found nothing against the speaker.
Anyway, the point I want to make here is that the speaker should have resigned and not wait till found guilty or other wise. That is what civilised people do in civilised climes but amala politics wont let the group see this. Shame

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LAHA Speaker
written by Hon. William Drew, August 21, 2012

I will like to remind those calling for the resignation of The Speaker that there 3 set of people that can ask for his resignation, his constituency that is the people he is representing, is party and is colleague at the house of assembly not some fat cow and those who cannot hear the voice of peter and the hands of paul in all this.

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...
written by Hon. William Drew, August 21, 2012

Mr. Ade E. I like to remind you that the whole country is the President constituency!

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