PDP chieftain Jimoh Ibrahim vows to set Ondo State on fire

 
A chieftain of the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP), Jimoh Ibrahim, on Wednesday said he and his men would set Ondo State on fire, and make it ungovernable for Governor Segun Mimiko.

Ibrahim who verbally attacked Mimiko at the airport without any provocation vowed “ I will ensure we burn Ondo down and burn you down with it”

Mimiko, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Kolawole Olabisi, alleged that Ibrahim made the statement, when they met at the Akure Airport yesterday.

The statement said: "The incident occurred when Governor Mimiko was at the Airport to be airlifted by a chopper for the campaign tour of Okitipupa and Ilaje local government areas of the state ahead of Saturday's election. He met the private jet marked N605 belonging to Jimoh Ibrahim's company, Global Fleet on the tarmac.

"Shortly after, Mr. Ibrahim led over 10 people out of the flight, including Ambassador Olu Agbi, Hon Jones Akinyugha Dr Tayo Fawehinmi, Chairman of the PDP in the State, Dr Tayo Dairo, Col Bade Omowa (rtd), Mr Ademola Adegoroye and other officials of the State PDP.

"Mimiko promptly moved to the group and exchanged pleasantries with them but Ibrahim distanced himself and refused to shake hands with the governor and when the governor moved to him, he pointed angrily in his face and bellowed.

"Look, I'm not interested in your greetings. I will ensure that we burn Ondo State down and burn you with it. Yes, you may be the Governor, but we may not be able to milk the cow but we can spill the milk. I've said my own and I will deal with you and your bunch of rabble rousers."

Mimiko was said to have left the airport quietly.
The CPS said the case had been reported to the appropriate authorities, and wondered why people could not play the game by the rules, if truly they have the interest of the people at heart.

"We want to warn that the era of gun point democracy is gone; the people of the state are no animals to be captured and caged at will. The Police and other security agencies should take judicial note of Mr Jimoh Ibrahimn's vow of violence and be on the look out," Olabisi said.

But, Ibrahim denied saying he would set Ondo State on fire. He said: "I told him I don't talk to kidnappers; and I have a right to choose who to greet. I have contributed a lot to Ondo State."

Recounting the encounter, the industrialist said the governor came to beg him: "We were there before him. While inside the plane, I saw an uninvited guest. He said he was there to beg me over my mother's abduction. I told him to leave my plane and that I did not invite him. He tried to greet my colleagues in the plane and they refused to greet him. He felt humiliated."

Ibrahim vowed to reply the governor at a more auspicious time.