A former federal lawmaker, former DSS boss, philanthropist and mentor of the youths, Honourable Ade Adeogun says being suspended is not a punitive measure but the right thing to do when investigation is ongoing especially on other alleged infractions, so as not to cause any obstruction to the investigation process.
Adeogun stated this on Orange FM’s current affairs programme, Midweek Interview, while reacting to the suspension of the minister of humanitarian and poverty alleviation, Dr Betta Edu.
Edu had been suspended by President Bola Tinubu, following money transfer allegations which came up after the accountant general of the federation Oluwatoyin Madein raised alarm that the minister directed her to forward N585 million to a personal account of one of her aides.
The former lawmaker Ade Adeogun said It is unlawful to pronounce someone guilty without being investigated or tried
but however said in government business, transferring money into personal account is unlawful.
“I will not judge somebody based on assumption but I will judge her based on the letter she wrote. The letter itself is a contravention of financial regulation that guides financial activities of federal government and I believe in most states, you’re not allowed to transfer government funds to private account.”
“If you have to disburse money, you have NIN, BVN, you have means of actually verifying the actual beneficiaries to get the money.”
According to him, being a commissioner does not give knowledge of financial regulation and therefore emphasized the need for constant orientation for political office holders to understand what obtains in government business.
While commenting on the situation of things in the country, the former lawmaker said, “Nigerians must have hope, even though they may not have visible achievements now.
He said, “We’ve been in darkness but it’s almost dawn.”
On what he expects from ondo state people following Lucky Aiyedatiwa coming into office as governor after the passing of his predecessor Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and the recent noise about not attending the 8th day prayer for the late former governor, not receiving his remains at the airport and certificate forgery allegation against the governor, he cautioned against negative moves to enhance development.
“Let me first use this opportunity to offer my condolences to the people of Ondo, state government and family of the late governor.
“The absence of governance in the state was for a long time but the focus now , rather than dwell on the past should be to unite the people and pray for the new governor to offer the best for the People.”
He cautioned against dwelling on negativities but to focus on correcting some issues such as local government funds not getting to them and other errors that were made in the dark days of the last governor.
While commenting on accusations against the governor about not attending the 8th day prayer of the late former governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, he said;
“I’m aware that the late governor was a Christian and I’m aware as a Yoruba man from Ondo state that 8th day prayer is not part of the funeral rites of Christians. It’s a Muslim thing . I’ve seen pictures, I’ve read about it, the immediate family members of the governor were not even in attendance”.
He said the position that Aiyedatiwa is holding is the same that late Adekunle Ajasin, Olusegun Agagu, Olusegun Mimiko held, frowning at why some people want to reduce the new governor’s position to that of a Pall Bearer.
“For Christ sake, he’s governor and there’s no protocol that says he should go to the airport to receive the remains of a deceased governor.”
“I’m saying this with all honesty because there are precedents. Yar’adua died, I didn’t see Goodluck Jonathan going to receive his corpse or even attending his burial. Abacha died in office, the successor was not even in Kano to receive his corpse or be at the funeral.”
He also cited examples at state level of what transpired in Yobe state when the governor died.
The lawmaker said things that are not important should not be the focus.
While commenting on allegation of certificate forgery against governor Aiyedatiwa, he noted that in the Nigerian constitution, primary six certificate and ten years work experience was the provision and since it has not been amended, except they are saying he didn’t finish primary school.
Honourable Adeogun called for patience on the part of ondo state residents to support the new governor for good governance to thrive.
Honourable Adeogun during the interview also commented on the BBC released video of testimonies against the late prophet from Arigidi Akoko TB Joshua saying that the man is not in a position to defend himself. He added that people should leave him to God.
While saying that 90% of the pentecostal churches are businesses, he called on believers to focus on God rather than man.
He also said ” I never met TB Joshua in life but he was a fantastic philanthropist in Akoko. Akoko people respect him because his philanthropy touched lives in Akoko. I never saw his church as a place I’ll go to worship but I did see the business side of his church and I wanted in his lifetime for him to bring one of his mountains to Akoko, so that all the visiting presidents will come to Ondo state. My focus is on the business side, not on the spiritual side.”
On a final note, Adeogun urged Nigerians to trust in the renewed hope agenda of president Tinubu and that with time, all will be well.
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