By Kolade Larewaju
FORMER Governor Olusegun Osoba yesterday asked President Goodluck Jonathan to hand over the former INEC Chairman, Prof. Maurice Iwu to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for a probe over his assertion that some politicians wanted him to scuttle the 2007 elections.

Osoba who spoke at the Save Nigeria Group organised rally in Abeokuta said Iwu by his admittance in his hand over note that some politicians tried to compromise him should be probed, adding that he should be made to explain all that transpired at the meeting with the unnamed politicians.

He said: “INEC under Iwu was the most corrupt electoral commission we ever had in this country. He admitted that much in his handover note as contained in the newspapers because I have not seen or read the handover note.

“How did the politicians get to him? What transpired? How much was he given by those who came to him? President Jonathan should hand him over to the EFCC to investigate those politicians who asked him to scuttle the 2007 elections. All his accounts should be investigated.”

Chief Osoba also tasked the new INEC Chairman, Prof. Atahiru Jega to sanitize the commission, saying that he should reorganize it to remove the corrupt image of the commission under Prof. Iwu.

“There are still some corrupt commissioners in INEC and should be flushed out save for the likes of Jega and Prof. Olorode who are decent men. The first job of Jega is to ask for a free hand to sanitize INEC.”

He then charged the crowd to ensure that their vote would not be stolen in future elections, lamenting that roads were bad in Ogun and that there was no water to drink by the people because of the inept administration in the state.

On MKO Abiola, in whose memory the rally was held, Chief Osoba said in all the eight years of President Olusegun Obasanjo efforts were made to erase the name of the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 elections but added that all came to nought.

He, however, praised President Jonathan for recognizing that Abiola’s death watered the seed of democracy in the country.

“Some people felt they could wipe off his name but MKO was God’s creation. They were in government, they did not recognize Abiola. He (Obasanjo) lived like an Emperor but cannot walk freely in Abeokuta now.”

Former Deputy Governor, Alhaji Adegbenga Kaka also spoke in the same vein and asked for the joining of hands to “sweep away the vestiges of the inept government” in the state, adding that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, would eventually go into extinction.

Mr. Yinka Odumakin among other speakers including Chief Bisi Adegbuyi, Mr. Femi Falana and Chief Remilekun Bakre said the Coalition of Democrats against rigging organised the rally in memory of late Bashorun MKO Abiola who “laid down his life for democracy in this country.”

Meanwhile, Governor Olugbenga Daniel has said the late winner of the June 12, 1993 Presidential election, Basorun MKO Abiola would never be forgotten as a major pillar of democracy and the man who gave his all for the eventual actualization of civil rule in the country.

In a message released in Abeokuta to commemorate the 12th year anniversary of the demise of Chief Abiola, Governor Daniel said the late businessman and astute politician who died in detention on July 7, 1998 was a man of many parts who contributed immensely to the country’s socio- political and economic development.

He said in line with the extant July 7 Declaration as Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola Memorial Day law signed on the 15th of December, 2004 which states in section 3 that the MKO Day shall be observed as a work free day in Ogun State, he has so declared July 7, 2010 as work free day in the State

“We can never forget the colorful politician and statesman for his sterling contributions to the development of Nigeria. He was the rallying point for the return to democratic rule and the person who showed the possibility of Nigerians placing merit above other considerations when choosing their leaders.

His contributions to the development of sports in Nigeria and Africa were legendary, his positive role in the political arena was also iconic and he was also a very successful businessman who showed the rest of the World that the black man can hold his own in the international business arena. On this day we salute this man of valour and extraordinary courage and enjoin all Nigerians to take a cue from his outstanding qualities as a statesman, politician and lover of humanity.”

Governor Daniel enjoined all Nigerians to spare a thought for the departed statesman and remember his family in their prayers.