Efforts are in top gear by Saki Parapo (an umbrella organization of Saki indigenes) and other well-meaning Nigerians to save the 2019 gubernatorial ambition of the embattled Minister of Communications, Barrister Abdur-Raheem Adebayo Shittu, following the bitter feud with his erstwhile Personal Assistant, Mr.Rasaq Olubodun, over unpaid salary backlog spanning 23 months.
It was learnt that a reconciliatory parley between Shittu and Olubodun, has been slated for Friday, October 20, 2017, at an undisclosed neutral venue in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The peace meeting brokered by concerned Saki indigenes in Ibadan, was to once again explore the way out of the embarrassing situation the minister had found himself since the outbreak of the hostilities, and to stave off possible political backlash for his 2019 guber ambition.
It was further gathered that invitations have been sent out to major stakeholders billed to attend the meeting.
Also, the proposed Ibadan meeting has been expanded to accommodate what our sources described as “strategic interests’, so as to finally laid to rest the furore and reconcile the two warring parties.
Depending on the outcome of the Friday peace parley, a follow-up meeting will be held in Saki by the National Executive of Saki Parapo and some elders, ostensibly to review the outcome of the Ibadan meeting.
Meanwhile, friends and supporters of the Minister for the 2019 Oyo Guber race have been mounting pressures on him to resolve the imbroglio with his estranged PA and equally find a lasting solution t the accumulated salaries and emoluments of his other aides and security personnel, who are being owed between five and 23 months arrears.
This, according to them, is to forestall a reoccurrence of the Olubodun saga and stave off future embarrassment that could ensue.
It will be recalled that the PA to the Minister, Rasaq Olubodun, two weeks ago resigned his appointment over N10 million unpaid salaries and other entitlements accumulated over 23 months.
When contacted on phone, the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Mr.Victor Oluwadamilare, disclosed that the face-off between the Minister and Olubodun is a family affair, which is in the process of being resolved.
“In all human relationships, disagreements are inevitable. When issues come up, as they are bound to be, amicable resolution is the ultimate goal and the lubricant of friendship”, Oluwadamilare said, adding that “The Minister and Olubodun and not just brothers, but have a long standing history of mutual relationship that transcends politics and pecuniary interests as being speculated in some quarters.
It is true that well meaning Nigerians and groups are working round the clock to save the relationship from further deterioration. All the attempts are geared towards an amicable resolution by managing effectively the issues that led to the face-off.
