Retired Brig.-Gen. Oluwole Rotimi, the former Military Governor of the Old Western State, refuted the claim made by Chief Bisi Akande, former Governor of Osun State, suggesting that he warned the late Bola Ige of consequences if he left the Obasanjo-led administration. Rotimi addressed this issue during a news conference in Ibadan to commemorate his 90th birthday.
Akande had previously mentioned in a podcast that Rotimi had cautioned Ige about potential repercussions if he considered leaving the Obasanjo government. However, Rotimi clarified that he actually advised Ige against leaving, emphasizing that he did not threaten him with consequences.
Rotimi mentioned that Obasanjo had contacted him to persuade Ige not to leave the government, highlighting the pressure Ige was facing from various individuals, including Prof. Wole Soyinka. Rotimi stressed that he did not predict any harm would befall Ige if he chose to depart from the administration.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the handling of Ige’s murder case, Rotimi believed that a more thorough investigation should have been conducted, extending beyond the immediate suspects to explore all possible angles. Despite his concerns, Rotimi acknowledged his limited influence in the matter due to his lack of authority.
In conclusion, Rotimi expressed empathy for Ige and the Nigerian populace who revered him as a leader, lamenting his inability to effect change in the situation due to his non-involvement in positions of power.