■ Says they misunderstood the situation…
An elderly couple, Professor and Mrs Femi Babalola, on Thursday, February 27, retracted the statement they issued on Wednesday, February 26, in respect of a dispute over the ownership of a plot of land in Guzape, Abuja.
The plot of land originally owned by Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, former Speaker and incumbent Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu was said to have been sold and the title in it transferred to a party that sold it to the couple.
THE CONCLAVE had reported on the basis of a press statement that the couple has since retracted that there was the use of political influence to dislodge the couple.
There were insinuations that the FCT authority issued a current Certificate of Occupancy in the name of Femi Gbajabiamila on the same land.
There were, however, as gathered, administrative glitches which THE CONCLAVE reports led to Hon Gbajabiamila’s name being registered in the C of O without his knowledge.
Gbajabiamila had reportedly sold the land over a decade ago.
Professor and Mrs Babalola, in their retraction and clarifications, admitted that they misunderstood the situation and circumstances concerning the current status of the land.
Read their positions, entitled: “Retraction and Clarification”, which were sent to THE CONCLAVE on Thursday evening.
“We wish to retract our earlier report concerning the matter between the Babalola family and the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.
“Upon further discussions, it has become clear that the situation was misunderstood and misrepresented in our previous communication.
“Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila is a man of integrity who has always been committed to justice and fairness.
“At no point did he act with the intent to harm or displace any citizen.
“Rather, he has demonstrated humility, understanding, and a willingness to listen in resolving the matter.
“The Babalolas have been deeply impressed by his approach and are confident that all outstanding issues will be settled amicably and without undue delay.
“Any harm that may have been caused to his reputation as a result of our initial report is deeply regretted.
“We appreciate the spirit of dialogue and fairness that has prevailed, and we look forward to a swift and just resolution.”
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