Yoruba leading socio cultural group, Afenifere has described recent calls and moves by some Nigerians on the Senate to reject Ambassador Ayodele Okes nomination by Presudent Bola Tinubu as ill informed and motivated by selfish interest.
National Organising Secretary of the group, Abagun Kole Omololu in a statement Saturday said the moves is an act of national sabotage by vested interests not based on evaluation of facts or established security practise.
- Oke, it will be recalled was sacked as Director on National Intelligence Agency by former President Muhammadu Buhari as a result of money meant for covert operation found in an apartment in Ikoyi.
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Full statement below:
The recent chorus calling upon the Senate to reject Ambassador Ayodele Oke’s nomination is not only ill-informed but, in many cases, driven by national sabotage sentiment rather than sober evaluation of facts or established security practice.Those peddling these sensational narratives must be reminded that state security agencies across the civilised world routinely conduct covert operations requiring cash-based funding.This is neither extraordinary nor improper.The funds at issue were duly disclosed to senior officials within the State House at the material time.The much publicised invasion of the Ikoyi apartment was, by every credible account, a politically engineered ambush and the subsequent quiet termination of the matter by government affirmed as much.
Ambassador Oke is not merely a public servant; he is a highly respected career security expert and intelligence operative, recognized both within the Commonwealth of Nations and globally. His illustrious career spans many countries and peaks with his prestigious appointment as the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA)—Nigeria’s equivalent of the CIA in America, the KGB in Russia, and MI6 in the UK. His contributions to our national security are of immense value .
From the very beginning, the accusations of corruption against Ambassador Oke have been steeped in political agendas. This became glaringly evident when campaign of corruption emerged against him the night he was to be announced when he was tipped for an appointment as National Security Adviser by late President Buhari.
The orchestrators of this media trial and campaign of calumny by those in who outrageously claimed that 14 billion Naira was discovered in Ambassador Oke’s private residence, have been thoroughly discredited. The reality, which must be acknowledged, is that this money was located in one of the NIA’s operational safe houses, fitting with the covert nature of security operations—not in any private home as falsely alleged.
Throughout this distressing ordeal, Ambassador Oke has upheld his innocence with remarkable grace and dignity. He has been represented by one of Nigeria’s finest legal minds and a proud member of Afenifere, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, OON, SAN, the current Honourable Attorney General of Ondo State.
Under Dr. Ajulo’s tenacious defense, the baseless allegations against Ambassador Oke were scrutinized. In a remarkable turn of events, as he left office in 2023, President Buhari, acting on incontrovertible evidence, ordered an immediate cessation of the trial against Ambassador Oke. The EFCC subsequently filed a notice to withdraw all charges at the Federal High Court in Lagos.
On Friday, June 9, 2023, the presiding judge, Honourable Justice C.J. Aneke, struck out the case, following the prosecuting team’s motion from the EFCC and the lack of opposition from the defense led by Dr. Kayode Ajulo, SAN. The ruling marked a significant affirmation of Ambassador Oke’s innocence, highlighting the complete lack of merit in the allegations.
We appeal to the mischief-makers: the circumstances surrounding Ambassador Oke’s case are tied to national security and must not be subjected to political manipulation or sabotage. Any further attempts to tarnish his integrity threaten not only his honor , but also the stability and security of our beloved nation.
At this critical juncture, we call for unwavering unity and support for Ambassador Ayo Oke. Let the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria rally together to defend our own, ensuring that those who serve Nigeria with honor and commitment are shielded from unfounded attacks.
It is therefore disingenuous for certain actors to resurrect a matter that was administratively resolved years ago merely to malign a seasoned intelligence professional. The continued posturing by these self-styled anti-corruption crusaders, who conveniently ignore the covert nature of national intelligence operations, amounts to nothing more than orchestrated noise.They should hold their peace.
Ambassadorial appointments are not instruments of political charity nor avenues for settling partisan grievances.They remain subject to the scrutiny of host nations.Even if Ambassador Oke is ultimately posted to the United Kingdom or United States, it is well understood that the receiving country conducts its own independent vetting.
The notion that Nigeria can simply ‘smuggle’ an unfit individual into a foreign mission is both ignorant and laughable.The United States under President Trump will conduct its checks, as is normal international practice.
Ambassador Ayodele Oke is a career diplomat of considerable distinction.Before his appointment as Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, he had already attained ambassadorial rank and served with distinction at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London.His professional pedigree, deep institutional memory and unwavering service to the Nigerian state are beyond dispute.
To reduce such a distinguished career to a contrived media spectacle is unjust, evil and unpatriotic.Nigeria deserves envoys of competence, not victims of politically motivated character assassination.The Senate should therefore proceed with objectivity and refuse to be swayed by bigots masquerading as guardians of transparency.
Otunba Kole Omololu National Organising secretary Afenifere
