By Ozioruva Aliu
BENIN CITY – A former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma on Friday carpeted a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for criticizing the petition he filed against former Vice President Atiku Abubakar before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
He challenged Melaye to address the substance of the allegations rather than resort to personal attacks.
Melaye in a video that went viral described Agbonayinma’s petition as shameful and alleged that the matter raised against Atiku Abubakar had been investigated and dismissed more than 10 years ago.
The former Kogi lawmaker also claimed that Agbonayinma approached him personally and pleaded to become a member of the ADC.
But Agbonayinma, in a strongly worded statement made available to newsmen in Benin City denied approaching Melaye to become a member of the ADC saying that he is a member of the National Democratic Congress, NDC.
He described the claim as “either a deliberate falsehood or simply a reflection of how poorly informed” Melaye was about his current political affiliation adding that he petitioned the EFCC in his capacity as a Nigerian concerned about public accountability and urged the EFCC to ensure thorough investigation.
“Rather than attacking my person, character and integrity, why not address the substance of the petition?
“You cannot defend Atiku Abubakar from an EFCC petition by attacking me.”
He said “My record in public service speaks for itself, and I am prepared to defend my integrity anywhere” and challenged the senator to produce the official EFCC decision or court record supporting his claim that the matter had been “thrown out over ten years ago.”
The former representative declared that he was not intimidated by what he described as Melaye’s “noise,” “theatrics” or personal attacks, insisting that the controversy should be settled through evidence.
“If you have evidence against me, bring it forward. If you have facts concerning the petition, present them.
“Defend the facts, not personalities,” he said.
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