Fasheun asks Bankole to apologise
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- Category: Opinions/Interviews
- Published on Monday, 16 August 2010 07:47
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The controversy over the recent altercation between Speaker of House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, and Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, appears unending as the founder of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Frederick Fasehun, at the weekend asked Mr Bankole to apologise for his action during the commissioning of Ota Bridge.
Mr Fasheun, in a statement released over the weekend, said his view on the incident, is based on (his) “private investigations, informed opinion, and conclusion on the incident.” The OPC leader also said he tendered, on behalf of the Yoruba people, “an unreserved apology to Senator Daggash,” assuring him that Mr Bankole’s conduct on the said day “was far from Yoruba character.” “Bankole is my son; He has always struck me as a respectful, dignified and composed young man. But I don’t know how he came to lower his guard in the passion of that moment in Ota,” said Mr Fasheun. “Maybe he was only being human. However, he should have shown restraint; and if he felt wronged, he should have bridled himself until a saner moment to seek redress, instead of that public outburst. Mr Speaker should have considered his office and the audience present.”
He also said rather than take umbrage, Mr Bankole “should have gone into that bus to tender an unreserved apology to dignitaries present” for coming late to the occasion. “Officials said he had no formal role to play in that event, except to add grace and glory with his presence as a privileged son-of-the-soil,” he said. “To say the least, the altercation gave room for a security breach, which endangered the lives of the speaker himself, the governor, the federal minister, and other agents of state present at the occasion. We will urge the 41-year-old speaker as well to seek out these elder statesmen to tender his apology to them. The speaker is young and politically upwardly mobile; his political life is just beginning, and it looks very bright.”
Danger to elections
Mr Fasheun seemed more concerned about what the incident holds for the coming general election. “The real problem I see in the Ota drama is the danger it portends for 2011,” he said. “If learned and highly-placed officers of state can descend to squabbling in full public glare, what will happen when politics enters full swing and their unlearned and uncouth supporters face each other on the campaign trail? This fire for fire in Ogun State politics must stop. It is not only embarrassing for our people, it is endangering their lives.” He advised Mr Bankole and Mr Daniel to make room for amicable resolution to any differences that may exist between them and asked Ogun State traditional elders to “help douse the tension brewing between these two gentlemen before it spills over to the politics of the state.” “Yoruba elders must reconcile the speaker and the governor, and get them to smoke the pipe of peace,” he said. “My tone here may be harsh, but I will not stand by passively and watch anyone endanger the peace and tranquillity of Yorubaland.”
