Former Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Muiz Adeyemi Banire, has described as untrue and unfounded a recent story circulating on the Internet that he was humiliated at the Bourdillon Road, Ikoyi, Lagos residence of All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Wondering what could have prompted the obnoxious story, Banire, also the National Legal Adviser to APC, said: “Nothing like that happened. In fact, it only exists in the imagination of those who think they can benefit from such”.
On his alleged political differences with Tinubu, Banire, under whose tenure as a Commisioner Oshodi underwent massive transformation, said: “Disagreement is normal, so no one should mistake it for a fight. Disagrements should always be healthy and that is exactly what has happened here. No personal issues”.
Hitherto a Special Adviser and Commissioner under Tinubu, he was also part of Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola’s administration before voluntarily resigning to concentrate on his legal practice. One of the most respected and admirable politicians in the state, the Mushin, Lagos brought up used to be a law lecturer at the University of Lagos before politics beckoned. He actually holds a PhD in Law and currently oversees one of the most vibrant chambers in Lagos. He equally has some legal publications to his credit.
He summed up the tale as a denigration of Asiwaju. “This is simply a denigration of Asiwaju as at no point in time have we ceased talking as perceived by these detractors. I think they are threatened by the recent sighting of our interaction. You can verify. Right from the gateman to Asiwaju himself. In fact, the last time I was there, it was in the company of Ambode (Akin, Lagos APC guber candidate), Ogbeni (Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State) and Alake (Dele, former Lagos Commissioner for Information). So, I don’t know where they got that from”.