Alhaji Azeez Abiola, also known as Istijabah, is the chairman of the Tricycle Owners and Operators Association of Nigeria (TOOAN), Zone “C” in Lagos State. He has apologized to Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya (MC Oluomo), the chairman of the state Parks and Garages Management Committee, for making remarks that could have damaged his reputation.
In a video broadcast, Abiola claimed that a remark he made during the conflict with Akinsanya was untrue and made out of irritation.
He said that Akinsanya had murdered many people, including Ade Lawyer, Baba Esi, and one Hamburger.
Abiola’s retractions came after a peace negotiation between the two that was arranged by Hakeem Odumosu, a retired assistant inspector general of police (AIG) and former state commissioner of police.
He said: “When there is a crisis, one could be tempted to say some things out annoyance. Alhaji Akinsanya is not a murderer. He didn’t kill anyone. What I said then was unfounded. Even if some people were saying it, people like me should not have peddled such insinuations.
“Akinsanya is just paying the price of being a public figure whereby people would say all sorts of things to bring him into disrepute. Like I said, he is not a murderer; he never killed anyone in my presence. I seek Allah’s forgiveness for making the statement.”
Abiola claimed that the National Union of Road Transport Workers, which had been outlawed, had been replaced by the parks and garages management, which had been established by the state government (NURTW).
He expressed gratitude to Senator Bola Tinubu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Transportation Commissioner Frederick Oladeinde, and Odumosu for their contributions to the crisis resolution.
