The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Elders’ Caucus has said it has endorsed Prince Dotun Babayemi as its governorship candidate in today’s primary election in Osun State.
In a statement yesterday by its Chairman, Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun, the caucus said it had unanimously endorsed Babayemi as its candidate for the governorship ticket.
The statement said: “On behalf of Osun State PDP executives, BoT members, apex party leaders and the entire members of our party in the state, after a painstaking deliberation of the elders of the party, and in preparation for the state congress to elect the governorship candidate of our party slated to hold on March 8, it was unanimously agreed that Prince Babayemi should fly the party’s flag in the impending state congress.
“This decision is with the full backing and concurrence of other aspirants in attendance, who are also eminently qualified to occupy the exalted position.”
An aspirant, a former Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade, has withdrawn from the exercise to support Babayemi.
A statement by Akinbade said he withdrew in fulfilment of the elders’ decision to support Babayemi.
Also, a cousin of Sen. Adeleke, Dele Adeleke, said he pulled out of the race to submit to the will of party leaders.
Three governorship aspirants in the PDP in Osun State have pulled out of the race ahead of today’s primary election.
The aspirants for the governorship race are: Sen. Ademola Adeleke, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, Prince Dotun Babayemi, Mr. Sanya Omirin, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade and Dele Adeleke.
The three aspirants that pulled out of the primary include: Ogunbiyi, Akingbade and Dele Adeleke.
Ogunbiyi, one of the leading aspirants in the race, alleged that the national leadership of the PDP had taken side with Sen. Adeleke.
The aspirant, at a news conference yesterday at his campaign office, alleged that his withdrawal was hinged on the bias of the national leadership of the party and planned violence against his supporters.
He said: “It is a very difficult decision, but I came to this decision because of the amount of investment, the hope, my personality and the leadership I would have given to Osun State. But when you have an umpire who is so biased to the extent of planning with the other group, what can you do?
“This decision became imperative since the process leading to the primaries is already skewed towards a predetermined outcome, despite the presentations made to the NWC for a level playing field for the aspirants. Consequently, I will not be participating in the primaries scheduled for Tuesday (today).”
Reacting to Ogunbiyi’s stand, the ex-Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Diran Odeyemi, on behalf of the Adeleke Campaign Group, said: “It is very wrong of him to accuse the national secretariat of bias. It is very unfortunate that somebody that calls himself a stakeholder of the party will accuse the national hierarchy without any verifiable evidence. So far so good, Sen. Iyorchia Ayu and the national officers have been neutral in the conduct of this election, according to the promises to the aspirants.
“Nobody is planning to attack anyone. It is like just saying something to your supporter in the face of failure, to win sympathy. The process is going to be peaceful.”
Sen. Adeleke, Omirin and Babayemi are still in the race.
There was, however, confusion last night over the delegates’ list and the venue of the primary election.
Four ward chairmen have denied being part of a suit filed by executives in 215 wards to enlist ahead of the primary. They are Ayeni Sunday, Ward One Atakumosa West; Aderemi Kabiru, Ward One Ifelodun; Adebayo Dare, Ward Four Atakumosa and Ojo Alegbeleye, Ward Three Atakumosa West.
They swore to an affidavit before the court to deny their involvement in the matter.