TheCable

Four prominent people from Okunland have distanced themselves from a statement supporting Dino Melaye, senator representing Kogi west.

Constituents of Melaye are in the process of recalling him.

In a statement on Monday, the Okun Development Initiative (ODI) said Eyitayo Lambo, a former minister of health; Julius Oshanupin, a retired major-general; Bayo Ojo, former attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and Tunde Ipinmisho, were in support of Melaye.

But they have denied the claim and vowed to go any length to resist any attempt of anyone who wants to “draw us into the mess going on in Kogi state”.

Demanding an apology, the elders said they do not know ODI and could not have signed a statement that they were not affiliated to.

“Our attention has been drawn to a statement purportedly issued by the Okun Development Initiative (ODI) on the ongoing attempt to recall senator Dino Melaye (APC – Kogi west). Curiously our names were given out as signatories to the document,” they said in a statement.

“We wish to state that we do not know ODI and have no relationship with the body in any form whatsoever.

“It, therefore, follows that we did not and indeed could not have signed any statement for an organisation with which we are not affiliated.

“We have earned our reputations through decades of hard work and would go to any length to resist attempts by anybody or group to draw us into the mess going on in Kogi state.

“This forgery is unacceptable to us and we demand an immediate retraction and an apology from those behind it.”