By Akinwale Kasali
A Youth Organization, Joint Youths For Progressive Alliance, JYPA, an umbrella body of over 25 Youth Coalition across the country has condemned in its entirety the defamatory imputations against the person of Mr Tayo Ayinde, the Chief of Staff to the Executive Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency, Babajide Olusola Sanwo Olu by the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams.
In a Press Release Titled, “I Did Not Take Part In The Killing Of Chief Bola Ige”, by Sunday Adeyemo with the Moniker, Igboho Oosa, had while reacting to issues in a Voice Note been circulated in the Social Media Space released by Gani Adams had maligned the integrity, Character and Personality of Tayo Ayinde.
It was alleged in the Voice Note that Tayo Ayinde is been used for the execution of evil machinations by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
JYPA is disenchanted that a Yoruba Generalissimo would be fanning the ember of hate, discord, mistrust and making defamatory statements, and assassinating the character of a reputable, resourceful, hardworking, passionate and outstanding Nigerian, whose track records show doggedness, tenacity and a progressive.
In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the Group, Akinwale Obafemi, it demanded a retraction of the wicked, malicious and unjust allegations against Tayo Ayinde by Gani Adams.
“This is barbaric, outrageous and uncalled for that a man of Integrity like Mr Tayo Ayinde would be unjustly accused of conspiring to murder someone by Iba Gani Adams is unacceptable.
“Iba Gani Adams should honourably apologize and do a retraction as demanded by JYPA and the solicitor of Mr Tayo Ayinde in person of CITIPOINT Legal Practitioners led by Adeyemi Olumide-Fusika, SAN, before this issue escalated and become litigation.
“JYPA implore Iba Gani Adams to with immediate effect do the needful by publicly apologizing and doing a retraction, or else, he will face the full wrath of the law and a protest will be staged by the Coalition of Groups under JYPA to demand his removal as the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland”, the statement reads.
However, the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, has warned against the plot to discredit him, saying his silence should not be taken for cowardice.
Speaking on the controversy generated by an alleged audio clip, Adams said he was ready to set the records straight on the various questions hanging in the balance on the alleged defamation contained in the clips, the Yoruba generalissimo, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Aderemi, said the ongoing legal infraction by Igboho and Ayinde was a grand conspiracy to discredit his person just as he vowed to protect his integrity.
He said his reaction became pertinent as it has become evident that those involved, Igboho and Ayinde, are not ready to toe the line of peace as initiated by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
He said: “The reason for my silence amid the various legal and media infractions by Igboho and Ayinde, was not because I am a coward, but because of the initial interventions of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, other prominent Obas and several other important personalities in Yorubaland.
“But with the ongoing lies and aspersions against my person, I think it is time for me to set the record straight.
“Though my legal team has done what was required of them, I need to state it clearly that the audio clip generating the squabbles was a distorted and disjointed content of a private conversation held way back in 2021 with a US-based younger brother of a friend.
“The conversation was initiated by the young man who claimed he wanted reconciliation between me, Igboho and some other people.
“ It was while responding on reasons for reconciliation at the time that he mentioned the names of the two people.
“ In the said audio, I said repeatedly that though it was very difficult to believe, there’s an unconfirmed rumour allegedly linking Igboho to the murder of the late Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige.
“My statement was not done in bad faith and it was purely a private conversation.
“It is surprising how a private conversation held almost four years ago would suddenly turn up in the hands of Igboho. To discerning minds, it is obvious that Igboho unlawfully invaded my privacy, bugged a private conversation and inappropriately used the same on several social media platforms.
“ However, on the issue of my brother, Tayo Ayinde, let me make it clear here that I repeatedly said that whatever was said was a rumour that couldn’t be substantiated or made public.
“But for their sinister motives, it was Igboho that bugged my telephone, published and made it public.
“The picture has now become clearer that they resorted to the audio clip blackmail after they failed in their earlier attempt to rubbish my name.”
