Media aide to former governor of Oyo State and Ibadan High Chief, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, Alhaji Lanre Latinwo, has debunked the claim by former President Olusegun Obasanjo that Ladoja was impeached in 2005, not because of his (Obasanjo) alleged third term ambition, but because Ladoja refused to take care of late Chief Lamidi Adedibu and Alhaji Yekini Adeojo l, who contributed to his victory at the poll in 2003.
Latinwo who made this claim in a statement he issued on behalf of his principal on Friday, described former President Obasanjo as a serial liar.
He said Obasanjo’s comments on Thursday over the impeachment of Ladoja in 2005 was nothing but lies.
Describing the retired Army General as being economical with the truth, Latinwo noted with dismay that Obasanjo could stoop to an unprecedented level of a fabricator by telling lies against the Ibadan High Chief.
Equally, Latinwo stated that Obasanjo’s assertion, while speaking as Chairman at the launch of Chief Christopher Alao-Akala’s book, was an absolute disregard for the truth, when the former President said among others, that Senator Ladoja paid dearly for not accommodating late political leader Chief Adedibu and Alhaji Adeojo.
Recalling that the impeachment of his boss was a kangaroo arrangement by Obasanjo and his stooge, Latinwo chastised the former President for arguing that it was not his (Obasanjo) failed third term agenda that caused the unsuccessful impeachment.
He said, “The former President had forgotten that the nation’s apex court had ruled that ‘there was no impeachment.’
“Obasanjo can be forgiven, because he is an old man who may not recollect the past accurately anymore; if not why should he say that Ladoja became governor in 2003 through the grace of God, Baba Adedibu and Alhaji Adeojo, when the later also attempted to become fovernor.
“Did Obasanjo forget that Adeojo contested the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, primary election, which was held on 24th December, 2002 at the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan?
“Chief Obasanjo, in trying to rewrite history has forgotten that he told Baba Emmanuel Alayande in Ibadan on his birthday in December, 2005 that Senator Ladoja should resign his position as governor, otherwise he would be impeached.
“And, true to his boasts, the illegal act was carried out few days later, but thank God, the impropriety was quashed by the court of highest jurisdiction.”
Insisting that Chief Obasanjo should be told point blank that no amount of damage control he is employing can obliterate his past, Latinwo added the former President’s past is closely hunting him.
He added, “Ladoja therefore has no regret; he came to serve and he did just that to the best of his ability, the result of which is the love his people have for him, till-date.
