Architect Muyiwa Ige, the son of slain former Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Bola Ige has revealed that successive governments have been unwilling to unravel the mysteries behind the death of his father.
He expressed optimism that all those who masterminded the assassination of his father will not escape justice.
“It should bother everybody that a Chief Law Officer of a country was assassinated in his private place and 21 years after his death, his killers have not been found. Even though some suspects were picked and locked up, there was a shenanigan of trials where the supposed suspect became a Senator while still in Agodi prison”.
Continuing, Muyiwa said “even the star witness recanted and when the government changed hands from Alliance of Democracy (AD) to People’s Democracy Party (PDP), they were unwilling to file the case; the whole thing is just a charade. I am sure that the murderers will eventually be caught one day”.
The Chicago-trained Architect made these revelations while featuring on a weekly radio show, Parrot Xtra/Ayekooto on Radio’ anchored by Olayinka Agboola and broadcast live on Splash 105.5FM, Felele Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State recently.
Muyiwa further stated that Chief Bisi Akande’s book ‘My Participation’ was factual in its account surrounding the mysteries surrounding the death of his father.
He said, “Chief Bisi Akande served under the late Bola Ige as Secretary to the Government and later as Deputy Governor before he later became the Governor of Osun State. He has a lot of information about my dad and his administration. It is just unfortunate that what happened that day, 23rd day of December 2001 became a reality”.
Speaking further, “When I became a Commissioner in Osun State in 2011 under the Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola administration, I encouraged the government of Osun and Oyo to reactivate and do something about the file on the murder case.
“I can recall that on December 15, 2001, Bola Ige was assaulted in the palace of the then Ooni of Ife. I think picking up the assault case would have helped in fishing out the culprits even though the assassination happened in another jurisdiction. Let us start with the assault case and later encourage the Oyo State government to prosecute the murder case”.
Architect Muyiwa Ige who served as Commissioner of Land and Urban Development during the first tenure of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola administration in Osun State stated that he has no regret for not being reappointed during the second tenure of Aregbesola’s administration while stating that his records are unbeatable.
“During my tenure, I did my work efficiently and effectively and the records are still speaking. I initiated the urban renewal for nine cities in the state, it has never happened in a sub-national government. My father used to say that if you have the opportunity of serving, do it well. I gave my hundred percent to Osun State government while serving.
He further revealed that his dad, Chief Bola Ige’s political ideology is quite different from that of the present set of Nigerian politicians who are self-centered and lacking in ideology. He stated that if his father had been opportune to govern the country, he would have restructured the country.
He further recounted, “The agitation for a Yoruba nation is one faced. Are we practicing true federalism? I recall in 1998/1999 when my father wanted to contest for the presidency, which he could not, I believe he would have restructured the country and put things in their right places”.
Muyiwa Ige, however, stated that he does not belong to any faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State adding that he would rather sit and watch as events unfold.
The former Commissioner in Osun State urged Nigerians politicians who intend to serve the country to unveil their manifestoes for the benefit of the citizens while cautioning voters and politicians to shun vote buying and selling.
He said, “Selling your votes for #5000 is equivalent to selling of your birthrights and the politicians would not be owing you anything since you have collected your share of democratic dividend once you sell your votes. Many youths on social media have refused to get their PVC. Everyone has to be mobilized on the importance of registering and voting. National Orientation Agency (NOA) has a lot of roles to play in creating awareness in this respect.”