By Banji Ayoola
Ondo State Government has uncovered an alleged plan to blackmail Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, with a customised whisky.
It disclosed this in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Ojo Oyewamide. The statement was accompanied with the video clip showing the labels and inscriptions on the four sides of the branded whisky’s pack.
The Governor is currently in self isolation to neutralise his asymptomatic positive COVID-19 infection status.
Government said in the statement which was entitled “Plan To Blackmail Akeredolu With Customized Whisky Uncovered” that “It is with a great concern that yet another plot hatched to blackmail Governor Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, has been uncovered.
“The carefully packaged plot involves the production of an imaginary Blue Label(Johnny Walker) brand of whisky, with the inscription of the Ondo State official logo on it. Also carefully imprinted is Aketi, with the ‘t’ appearing as Mr. Governor’s signature.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Mr Governor does not require to produce customized drinks of that nature for his re-election. Neither has he commissioned any associate, friend or even aides to embark on such wasteful venture. This is more so, that Governor Akeredolu’s modest and non-ostentatious life style has never been in doubt.
“Accordingly, the supposedly customized Aketi Whisky which is now trending on a platform known as the IDANRE HILLS REPORTERS should therefore, be ignored.
“It appears inconceivable to pre-empt the outcome of any investigation in respect of this distasteful act. All the same, it is pertinent to let the general public know that those behind this grand plot are desperate power mongers who will stop at nothing to create despicable and imaginary scenarios to play their game.
“Clearly, the motive is to create the impression that so much of State money has been spent to produce the Whisky. Aside this already deflated plot, many more are expected from these political scavengers on an impossible mission.
“Mr. Governor, having been briefed of this devious act, has taken steps to unravel those behind it through lawful means.”
This brings to memory what Nigerians experienced in the defunct Second Republic when customised whisky, in cartoons produced and imported in the name of the National Chairman of the then ruling National Party of Nigeria, NPN, the late Chief Meredith Adisa Akinloye, flooded the political space.
That Republic, symbolised by the Federal Government, headed by Alhaji Usman Aliyu Shehu Shagari, described as soaked in and stinking in corruption, was crushed in a military coup announced by the late Gen Sani Abacha, which brought in Gen Muhammadu Buhari (now President Muhammadu Buhari) as the Head of State and Supreme Military Council and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
