“He can defect, decamp or turn coat, but he should do it decently,” the governor’s spokesman said.
—The Punch
Dr Owolabi photo: Courtesy of OSG
Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Issac Babalola Owolabi escaped death after he was allegedly attacked by assassins. According to media reports, Owolabi fell out with outgoing-governor Adebayo Alao Akala at the State Executive Council meeting by saying that Akala lost the governorship election because of a strike by medical practitioners in the state.
For saying what he heartedly felt, Owolabi was battered into a 'stupor' after the meeting by unknown assailants. A few days after the State Executive Council meeting; he escaped an alleged assassination attempt on his life. He is currently under police protection.
Explaining what happened to him after the (SEC) meeting, Dr Owolabi said, “At the end of the State Executive Council meeting of Wednesday, May 4, 2011, I was similarly assaulted by political thugs right in front of the Governor’s Office to the surprise of all onlookers, including the state governor himself. Honestly, to my utmost amazement, there was no form of caution, condemnation or any form of intervention from the governor.”
—Nigerian Tribune
A source said that Babalola’s other ‘sin’ was his refusal to give approval for the release of N250 million from the ministry’s treasury to an Ibadan-based politician.
Dr. Owolabi was quoted as saying: “I won’t do anything that I would not be able to face the EFCC and defend after leaving office.”
—Vanguard
If you were in Owolabi’s shoes what would you do? Would you embezzle and release N250 million from the treasury or risk your life? Could past and present allegations of executive blackmail, corruption, assault, political thuggery, bullying and assassination attempt be the norms of good governance in an outgoing government? Certainly not…
