ICYMI: I didn’t force Dangote refinery out of Olokola with demands – Mimiko

Former Ondo State Governo,r Olusegun Mimiko has said he didn’t make any demands from Aliko Dangote which forced him to move the Dangote Refinery from the Olokola Free Trade Zone to the Lekki Free Trade Zone.

Dangote had in 2013 announced plans to build a refinery at the Olokola Free Trade Zone which is jointly owned by the Ogun and Ondo state governments.

The plan however failed to materialise with the project moved to Lekki Free Trade Zone in Lagos a year later.

While many in Ogun State blamed then Governoe, Ibikunle Amosun for frustrating the project, Mimiko was also accused in Ondo State of making demands from the richest man in Africa, which forced him to relocate.

Reacting after the inauguration of the Dangite Fertilizer at the Lekki Free Trade Zone on Tuesday, Mimiko said stories about him making demands from Dangote were lies.

In statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Digital Communications, John Paul Akinduro, the former governor said only Dangote could explain why he decided to relocate the project.

“Reports of the oft repeated falsehood about Aliko Dangote opting out of the Olokola FTZ for his refinery project, owing to an alleged demand for personal benefit by Dr Olusegun Mimiko has been brought to our notice.

“We state that this lie is totally reprehensible. That otherwise informed people are repeating the utter falsehood is sad.

“We state for the umpteenth time that Mimiko did not make any personal demand, cash or kind, or receive any personal gratification that led to the location of the factory to Lagos instead of Olokola.

“Again, this allegation is a blatant lie and we hope that Alhaji Aliko Dangote will, one day, volunteer facts on why he chose Lagos over Olokola,” the statement read.