Days after threatening news outlet Sahara Reporters with a lawsuit, former minister of defence Musiliu Obanikoro has given up and sent a mere warning letter to the publication. Former senator Obanikoro had threatened the media outlet after they published on February 5 an audio recording in which he and other PDP officials are allegedly heard plotting to illegally manipulate the 2014 Ekiti goverorship election.Obanikoro and his alleged accomplice in the plot, Governor Ayo Fayose, are heard in turn berating Brigadier General A.A. Momoh and promising him promotions and other inducements for helping the PDP in its scheme to handicap APC members during the elections.In the recording Obanikoro is heard saying that he had been sent to the state on a special assignment to make sure the PDP carried the day.Obanikoro claimed that his lawyers had served Sahara Reporters with legal papers last week and the outlet had only 42 days to prepare their defence.The audio tape has been authenticated by a third party team, Guardian Consulting.The consulting firm authenticated Obanikoro as the voice offering a bribe to Brigadier General A.A. Momoh. In addition to the secret recording, a sworn affidavit was signed by a whistleblower present during the meeting where Obanikoro illegally bribed the army officer and plotted to rig the Ekiti state elections in 2014.This warning letter comes just as the Senate is assessing Obanikoro’s nomination by President Jonathan to a ministerial post. Analysts and observers, however, argue that Obanikoro is trying to give a false impression of legal action against Sahara Reporters in order to ease through his confirmation hearings.
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