Lasun Yussuff: Governorship Should Not Be Earned By Desperation

By Professor Aderemi Ajala

Following the appearance of Rt. Hon. Lasun Yussuff at the APC meeting held on 21st of May 2018 and effective taking over of Osun political space by Rt. Hon. Lasun Yussuff, some malicious and mischievious individuals have begun dirty politics by blackmailing Rt. Hon. Lasun Yussuff.  

In that attempt, a private radio station in Osun, a radio station noted for political persecution of rivals of its political financiers  aired on its news on early morning of Wednesday 23rd May 2018 that many people including some police officers who were scrambling for money allegedly threw by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Lasun Yussuff during the said meeting were injured and presently receiving treatments in hospitals. There is no iota of fact in it.

To put the record straight, the event at the APC party secretariat was a meeting of the party structures including our outstanding political leaders in the state with the party aspirants for the 2018 Governorship election. The event was held at the state party secretariat, Ogo Oluwa, Osogbo on the 21st May 2018 between 12 noon and 3 pm.  In attendance were many media organisations both print and electronic media. The report of the event was widely carried in both print and electronic media on Tuesday 22nd of May 2018.  At the end of the event, lots of traditional drummers praise-song Lasun Yussuff As they did to other aspirants and political dignitaries that attended the event. As part of  Yoruba entertainment culture one has to give money for traditional drummer when one is sing-praised. Like many others at the occasion, Lasun only gave money to two bands on traditional drummers who sing-praised him.  The action was admired and everybody was happy without stampeding or injury caused on anybody.

In all the reports published the following day to the event no mention of stampeeding or injury was related in any of the reports. One therefore wonders where the said radio station got its own report that many people were injured and now hospitalised.

Right from the occasion some political rivals felt uncomfortable and we noted feasible disappointment and desperation on their faces at the meeting. Among these rivals were the sponsors of this new dimension of blackmailing.

We challenge the said radio  station to give to the public the details of police officers who scrambled for money thrown by the Deputy Speaker. The public will be more informed if  the station can make public those officers that were wounded and currently being hospitalised. 

It is important to emphasize that it is needless heating up the politics. Rivals are warned to desist from political blackmailing. Governorship should not be earned by desperation. All stakes should allow rules of the game to operate.

Thanks.

Professor Aderemi Ajala

Special Adviser  (Constituency Relations) Office of the Deputy Speaker

House of Representatives, Abuja.