The newly elected national chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and National Chairman of Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Alhaji Yusuf Mamman Dantale on Tuesday led IPAC National Executive Committee a solidarity visit to the former Minister of Power and current National Secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Dr. Olu Agunloye in Abuja
This was contained in a statement made available to news men in Abuja on Wednesday by the National Publicity of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Ambassador Rufus Aiyenigba
It will be recalled that the former Minister regained his freedom last weekend after being detained for over one week at the Kuje Prison after an FCT High Court granted him bail over the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project as the Minister of Power and Steel, over 20 years ago.
According to the statement, the delegation expressed their solidarity with Dr Agunloye, noting that he was one former public servant who enjoyed the respect of millions of Nigerians for his track records in the service of Nigeria.
The statement observed that he had served the country variously and meritoriously as pioneer Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and as Minister of State for Defence (Navy), Minister of Power and Steel among other strategic positions of great responsibility.
It added that the IPAC Chairman noted that he had great confidence in the Nigerian justice system to deliver justice at all times, and that the team had a strong conviction that the former Minister who served as the immediate past National Financial Secretary of IPAC would be vindicated of the charges against him at the end of the day.
According to the statement, the IPAC Chairman had on his entourage, the Director-General of the Council, the Organizing Secretary, and National Publicity Secretary; while the National Chairman of Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alhaji Shehu Musa Gaban and National Speaker, Women Parliament, Hajiya Sa’adatu Abdullahi were also on hand to receive the delegation.
It stated that Dr. Olu Agunloye, who was visibly in high spirit and unfazed by the unpleasant detention, thanked the IPAC delegation and reiterated his innocence in the matter as well as his expectations that the court would do justice in the case.
He said that he remained committed to the unity of Nigeria and would continue to contribute his quota towards the greatness of the country.
This was happening just as a team of well-wishers – men and women from Ekiti State Chapter of the party stormed the SDP National Secretariat, almost immediately after, with their traditional drums, singing and dancing to express their solidarity with him Dr Agunloye.
According to statement, “their various traditional musical renditions extolled the high esteem with which the former Minister is regarded not only in South-West, but in the Nigerian society in general, and they prayed that he would live long and will continue to be celebrated”.