In reaction to speculations about his estranged relationship with a member of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Saheed Fijabi, the Honourable Minister of Communication, Barrister Adebayo Abduraheem Shittu has admitted to their acrimonious relationship, stating however, that a timely mediation has restored harmony between them.

The Minister who made this known during the weekend at a lunch media chat organised by the South-West Group of Online Publishers (SWEGOP) and held at the CEOAfrica building in Ibadan, Oyo State, explained that the lawmaker representing Ibadan South West/North West Federal Constituency in the Green Chamber had been “fighting a proxy war” against him.

Hon Saheed Fijabi, Honourable Member, Federal House of Representatives (L) speaking at SWEGOP Media Chat in April, 2017

It would be recalled that three months ago in April, Hon Fijabi who is also the Chairman House Committee on Telecommunications had appeared on the SWEGOP media chat where he accused the Communications Minister of having his concentration distracted from his official duties by his political ambition to run for the Governor of Oyo State.

Also referring to his position as the Chairman House Committee on Telecommunications, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari’s position as Chairman Senate Committee on ICT and Cybercrime, and Barr Shittu’s position as the Communication Minister, Hon Fijabi had further noted that with these three Oyo indigenes working on communications at the Federal level, Oyo State should have been a communication and technology hub but for the un-cooperative attitude of the Communication Minister.

On his own part, Barr Shittu has denied all claims of negligence and distractions, stating that Hon Fijabi only made those claims because of their less than cordial relationship. Acknowledging Hon Fijabi as his son, he however, revealed that their friction has been resolved through the intervention of the Chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission, Senator Olabiyi Durojaye.

The Minister of Communication, Barr Adebayo Shittu (M) speaking at the SWEGOP Media Chat on 22nd July, 2017.

The Minister said “This is not a forum for throwing bricks but I would say that Hon Fijabi with due respect to him, has been fighting a proxy war against me. That is the truth of it. But I want to say in fairness to him (Fijabi) that the Chairman of NCC, Chief Durojaye has intervened and as far as I’m concerned, he is my son and his father is my friend. So he is not one person I can fight and I want to believe that there has been a ceasefire.”

Denying the allegations of negligence made by Hon. Fijabi, the Communication Minister enumerated some of the projects he has used his office and positions to accomplish in Oyo State. He said “As a Minister, I’ve had initiatives in Oyo State, using my office to benefit the state. I have brought into Oyo state projects worth more than N350 million. I have established for Oke-Ogun Polytechnic an ICT Centre worth N250 million. I have also established something similar but smaller in Sakiparapo Community Grammar School – its worth about 80 million.

“I have also established in about seven secondary schools what we call knowledge centres. One is in Oolo in Ogbomosho, one is in Shepeteri, one is in Kishi, one in Oyo and one in Ibadan. Apart from that, the type of 250 million project cited in Oke-Ogun Polytechnic is also being established somewhere in Samonda now. A third one by God’s grace will also come up from the Ministry again in Ibadan.” The Minister also noted that he had contributed personally to the development of the state by providing 12 boreholes in different parts of the state with more to be commissioned.  

Barr Shittu explained that he is very much interested in using his position as a Minister to the advantage of his state. He stated therefore that the allegations of Hon Fijabi were untrue and were probably made to achieve political ends. “Fijabi probably made his accusations from a sentimental point of view. They cannot be the truth. They were lies meant to achieve political ends and I reject such accusations,” the Minister said.

The Communication Minister further revealed that he enjoys a pleasant relationship with members of the House. He noted however that he cannot guarantee if the feeling is mutual, adding that he does not provoke trouble, neither does he not back off from a fight. He said “With all humility, I don’t start fights, but I don’t run away from fights. If I extend a hand of fellowship to you and you are combative against me, of course I won’t turn the other cheek. But I am not a violent person. I fight with my brain which God has graciously given to me.”