In the last few weeks, Ogun State has become one reckless theatre of impunity, abusive and oppressive use of State power, media machinery and security agencies against innocent and law abiding citizens.

The *Coalition of all Concerned Youth in Ogun State*, has observed with great concern the fears of many citizens of Ogun State about the arbitrary use of State Powers and machinery by the Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Mr. Adetokunbo Talabi, while trying to evade lawful investigations arising for open petitions about the breach of his Oath of Office.

We have investigated, gathered proofs and evidence, and noted that Mr. Talabi has resorted to, and turned on the instrument of state security that was established to protect, not only the physical safety of the citizens but also their guaranteed rights under the law of the federal republic of Nigeria to harass and intimidate the same citizens.

This, we noted should call for the concern and worries of all well meaning Nigerians and the International Community that under a Democracy, led by a Civilian President, State apparatuses and resources are being deployed in a most brazen manner that is now mimicking the most heinous and brutal dictatorship to oppress the same citizens for whom the laws are established to protect, and this cannot be allowed to stand.

It is morally wrong and unjustified that in a Democracy that is still struggling to engender the confidence of the citizens in rule of law, transparency and integrity, a government official under probe should be allowed to remain in office. Tokunbo Talabi cannot be allowed to stay in the office a day longer.

We noted with grave concern that the entire media machinery of the Ogun State Government has been turned on in defense of Mr. Talabi; government appointees are being used to write and syndicate news stories on behalf of the Department of State Service (DSS) and the Nigerian Police in a skewed manner to suit only the interests and narratives of Mr. Tokunbo Talabi. We call on the DSS and the Nigerian Police to investigate all unauthorized Press Releases being published and syndicated on their behalf over matters that are still under investigations

We also observed that the same State media machine, Government Press Officers and political appointees have also become the vocal and unofficial communications or public relations Managers; writing, speaking and sharing news stories and narratives on behalf of Superflux, a private company and entity that Mr. Talabi claimed to have resigned as its Director in 2019. This called for great concern and gives further credence to the allegations contained in some petitions before the EFCC, ICPC, CCB that the private company allegedly remains a conduit of the Ogun State Government under the present leadership of Mr. Dapo Abiodun and some of its operatives.

It is therefore our considered opinion, that as long as Mr. Tokunbo Talabi remains in office as the Secretary to the Ogun State Government, he will continue to use that same office to undermine investigations into the Petitions written by HURIWA to the EFCC, ICPC and the CCB which are all relevant agencies on financial crimes and breach in public and official conduct.

Petitions have been written against several Nigerians both in official capacity and privately; the purpose of which is to strengthen accountability and integrity and engender trusts in Public Service.
https://politicsnigeria.com/breaking-tinubu-receives-petition-against-dangote-over-3-4-billion-siphoned-through-cbn/

Our concern and worries is where Mr. Tokunbo Talabi derives the power which places him above the law for investigation for alleged misconduct. For the records, Mr. Talabi is an Appointee of Governor Dapo Abiodun, *not an elected public official. He is a private citizen just like everyone else, he is not above the law, he can, and should be investigated whenever he is in breach or found to have violated the law. He is a government official earning from tax payers money and his activities can come under Public scrutiny.*

We are greatly concerned that the Nigerian democracy is being gradually threatened and its tenets and foundation of freedoms of Movements and Information are being tried. We feel greatly disturbed that instead of answering the charges in the Petition to the EFCC, ICPC and CCB by HURIWA, Mr. Talabi has resorted to cheap tactics of trying to circumvent the investigation, to ambush the process by using all available state powers to portray himself as the victim instead of being the accused, and in the process trampling on the rights of others. All these are possible because he has kept himself in office against every moral standards in public trust.

*The Issues in Perspectives*

The *Coalition of all Concerned Youth in Ogun State* before arriving at its conclusions, tried to peruse all issues in Perspective relating to the matter in Ogun State, and observed as follows:

1. That the Human Rights Writers Association (HURIWA) Petitioned the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) asking that Tokunbo Talabi who was *appointed* the Secretary to the Government of Ogun State by Mr. Dapo Abiodun in 2019, should be investigated through his registered private company, Superflux Printing company which was alleged to have printed Ballot papers for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Talabi was further alleged to have compromised this legitimate transaction to favour his boss, Mr. Dapo Abiodun in the March 18 Governorship elections in Ogun State.

Note: Mr. Abiodun as Governor of Ogun State *appointed* Mr. Tokunbo Talabi as SSG. But Mr. Talabi is believed to have vested interest (which he claims to have divested) in a company which printed Ballot papers for INEC for the conduct of elections. Mr. Talabi's boss, Dapo Abiodun was standing in an election where some of the ballot papers supposedly printed by Superflux, a company related to Talabi printed are to be used. These are the allegations before the EFCC, ICPC, CCB which was widely published in various news media, both print and online. This is a very simple case that requires Mr. Talabi to assist the Crimes and Conduct Commissions to explain his own side of the story.

Other Related Facts
(a) It is well established and confirmed through records of past business relationships that Mr. Talabi through his private security printing company has been offering services as contractors/suppliers (Printing of ballot papers etc) for INEC elections even long before he was *appointed* as SSG in Ogun State.

(b) It is also statutory for Mr. Talabi while accepting his appointment into such a sensitive position of governance in Ogun State as the SSG, to give full disclosures of his business activities to his employer, the Ogun State Government through the Governor who appointed him. This is very important before accepting the offer to such sensitive positions and responsibilities. This is necessary in consideration of the sensitive nature of INEC contracts with his private company.

(c) It is also established through his own claims and records that Mr. Talabi resigned his position as Managing Director of his own registered private company in 2019. What he therefore needs to further establish with the Crime and Conduct agencies is if he still holds substantial and majority shareholding interests in this company till date. His hold and interests in this company cannot be easily differentiated from his interest to serve Ogun State without compromise when it comes to issues of elections to be conducted by INEC in Ogun State. One of the official functions of the office of Secretary to the State Government (SSG) is to engage and relate with officials of the electoral body (INEC), as well as all relevant security agencies; the Nigeria Police, DSS and other others as well as parastatal and agencies of government (both at the state State and Federal level) on State matters.

It is therefore our conclusion that Mr. Talabi has only resorted to brutal force and strong arm tactics and intimidation against citizens who alleged a breach of public trust and conducts as well as journalists and writers who fed on what they considered top exclusive news items. The right of citizens to call for probity and accountability is guaranteed under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and cannot be wished away.

What is expected of Mr. Talabi in this circumstance:

(a) is to respond to the queries of relevant investigative agencies and prove that his private company's accounts were not compromised in any way before, during and after the *March 18, 2023 Governorship elections in Ogun State* in such a way to have compromised the results in favour of the man who appointed him, Mr. Dapo Abiodun. *It is only when a man has something to hide that he chases a shadow.*

(b) assist the Conduct Bureau with relevant information that can prove and exonerate him that he gave his employer, the Governor full disclosures on his company activities before he accepted the offer of appointment as the SSG of Ogun State. It is only in the circumstance that he does not give such full disclosure that he can be culpable of hiding relevant information for pecuniary gains and for personal interest in support of and for the protection of the Governor's political interest. Only in such circumstances, will he then be liable for lying under statutory Oath before taking appointment to office

*Our Prayers*
The *Coalition of all Concerned Youth in Ogun State* pleads with the Inspector General of Police (IGP), and the Director General (DG) of the Department of State Security Service (DSS) not to allow their office, men and officers to be used for intimidation of citizens as a decoy to undermining the ongoing investigations by sister agencies, the EFCC, ICPC and CCB while the investigations on the same matter is ongoing.

We plead that the Nigerian Police and the Department of State Security should join in the crusade and be the champions of democracy to assist their sister agencies with investigation on records and proofs of the original petitions, to comb and unravel compromises in the private company's accounts from June, 2019 up until the time of the March 18, 2023 Governorship elections so that real Justice can be served.

E-Signed:
Bolaji Dawotola Anifowoshe
Convener: Coalition of all Concerned Youth in Ogun State