Chief Bisi Akande, former governor of Osun State, has reignited discussions surrounding the unresolved assassination of Chief Bola Ige, the former Attorney General of the Federation. In a recent interview, Akande suggested that Rashidi Ladoja, a former governor of Oyo State, may possess crucial information about the murder.
Speaking with broadcaster Edmund Obilo in Ibadan, Akande expressed his frustration over the lack of progress in the investigation, highlighting that significant figures, such as Lam Adesina, who could have provided insight, have passed away. He noted that while Adesina took the case to court, Ladoja later withdrew it, suggesting that Ladoja might have more knowledge regarding the circumstances surrounding Ige’s death.
“There are many things that die with people. I believe Ladoja has more information on Bola Ige’s death,” Akande stated, reflecting on the challenges of uncovering the truth now that key witnesses are gone.
Bola Ige was assassinated on December 23, 2001, at his residence in Ibadan. During his tenure, he served as Minister of Mines and Power and later as Minister of Justice. Akande recalled that Ige had expressed regrets about joining the government of then-President Olusegun Obasanjo, describing it as a “kiss of death.”
When asked about the decision to support Ige’s entry into the Obasanjo administration, Akande clarified that it was a collective choice made by the Alliance for Democracy and Afenifere leadership, emphasizing that they believed it was a necessary step for political unity.
Akande also addressed claims that Ige had aligned with political adversaries, asserting that political affiliations can shift, citing his own journey from imprisonment under Buhari to his current position in the APC.
The former governor reiterated that he believes Ige’s assassination was politically motivated, hinting at a state-sponsored act, and criticized the Obasanjo administration for not prioritizing the investigation into Ige’s murder.
As he concluded, Akande reflected on the political landscape, asserting that there are no permanent enemies in politics and emphasizing the importance of unity among political factions.
When approached for comments, Ladoja’s media aide requested additional time to respond, while Obasanjo’s media aide did not provide any feedback.
This ongoing discourse calls attention to the unresolved issues surrounding Bola Ige’s death and the need for transparency in political matters.
