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Hold PDP, Bode George responsible if I’m killed -Victor Sam Malu

Donald Ojogo, Lagos


Former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Victor Sam Malu now under fire over his recent outburst that he regretted not overthrowing President Olusegun Obasanjo while he was the army boss has raised alarm that there were plans to assassinate him.

However, chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has asked Nigerians to disregard the ex-army chief, whom he described as a drowning man.

Malu at the general assembly of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Kaduna, had reportedly expressed regrets for not toppling President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The outburst has drawn wide condemnation, especially from the ruling PDP, while the presidency is believed to have ordered close surveillance on him.

However, as the debate over the pros and cons of the retired army chief’s declaration rages, Malu at the weekend declared that his life was in danger and said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Chief Bode George should be held responsible if anything untoward happened to him.

In an apparent volte face, Malu said he was quoted out of context at the ACF forum and particularly accused Bode George of deliberately falsifying his statement.

In a four-page statement faxed to Sunday Independent, the former army chief said, “At the risk of repeating myself or diluting the clear and honest statement on this matter by people I hold in utmost regard and respect, I wish to state that I did not make a statement at the ACF meeting to the effect that I regretted not overthrowing Obasanjo.”

According to him, he merely touched on some of the aspects that brought disagreement between him and Obasanjo and a reflection that it was good he was kicked out of service otherwise he might have changed from a democrat to something else.

Part of the statement reads, “Nigerians are aware of what has happened to those who criticised this government. We are all aware of how many politically motivated murders have gone unsolved and almost all are those who have criticised or were opposed to the dictatorial stance of the government. If anything were to happen to me, the likes of Bode George and his PDP government should be held accountable,” he said.

Malu challenged George to account for his stewardship as the military governor of old Ondo State as well as his tenure as Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), saying “his lack of ability and competence in his primary duty may have been responsible for his very well known traits of boot-licking, tale-bearing and lobbying for political rather than military appointments.”

However, describing Malu as a man without credibility George, who spoke through one of his aides, Muyiwa Collins, said, he had “little time for such an embittered man.

“All those things he said are untrue. The man lacks credibility. He is a drowning man who left the Army in a bitter way.

“We know where he belongs and who he fronts for; we will advise him to tell the big masquerade to come out and confront Chief Bode George. Malu is too small for the man to deal with,” Collins said.

Despite Malu’s alarm, indications emerged at the weekend that he may be arrested any moment from now.

Although the nature of action being contemplated by the government was still kept secret, Sunday Independent gathered that President Obasanjo had directed the Inspector-General of Police, Sunday Ehindero, and the Director-General of the State Security Services (SSS), Col. Kayode Are, to “appraise Malu’s recent outburst.”

This development also comes on the heels of reports that former Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Mohammadu Gambo Jimeta, is under the watchful eyes of the security agencies.
An impeccable Presidency source told Sunday Independent that the statement credited to the former Army Chief was too inciting to be ignored by the government.

“Mr. President is not taking the matter lightly. There is freedom of speech and expression, but it has its own limitations, particularly when it concerns the corporate security of the nation.

“Malu cannot wake up one day and declare that he regretted not toppling the government he served as Chief of Army Staff. Such statements cannot be waived aside just like that.

“We are in a democracy. No one is above the law. If a small boy like Dokubo is facing trial over reckless statements with grave security import, I think government will view Malu’s more seriously,” he said.

The source added that “the pressure to arrest Malu is surprisingly coming from the military, especially, the Army he once led.”

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