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Tag: Bankole

  • Four years not enough for Buhari, says Bankole

    Four years not enough for Buhari, says Bankole

    Former House of Representatives Speaker Dimeji Bankole yesterday said any economic reform to transform a nation can’t be designed and executed by a government in four years.

    Bankole said it would take at least seven years for an economic reform or policy to yield returns, and submitted that President Muhammadu Buhari needs time to fix the ailing economy.

    The ex-Speaker spoke on Sunday evening in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, while delivering the fifth anniversary lecture of the Ijebu News Xtra magazine.

    He added that the President is “doing a thankless job” to fix Nigeria.

    The magazine, published by a celebrity reporter, Dayo Rufai, had, as its anniversary lecture: “Ogun State: Stimulating Youth Enterpreneurship Potential in a Recession.”

    Bankole noted that the answer to recession is not in any textbook but in the willingness of Nigerians to make the right “sacrifices today for a better tomorrow”.

    “I feel sorry for President Buhari. He can’t solve the problem in four years. He needs a second term. No economic reform or policy can be formulated and implemented to produce the expected results within four years, it will take at least seven years.

    “He is doing a thankless job, now like the teachers. No magic or miracle about this, we have to do the work and the government needs support. It is a long distance race.

    “The question is what are you prepared to sacrifice? What risks are you going to take to make Nigeria better? We must make sacrifices to make the country work,” Bankole said.

    According to the former Speaker, technocrats sourced from the relatively stable World Bank can’t fit adequately or effectively as handlers or managers of the economy, which is volatile.

    He added that though he had not given up his ambition to seek an elective office, it would not take much away from him should he decide not to pursue the ambition tomorrow.

    Bankole said God has been kind and merciful to him, noting that he will remain eternally grateful to him, the people of Ogun State and Nigerians for giving him the opportunity to serve the nation.

    He urged the youth to make the right sacrifices, learn trade and leave a legacy people would be proud of.

  • Bankole urges OOU to provide quality education

    Former Speaker of House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, has urged the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago – Iwoye, to continue to insist on quality education for its students and products.

    Bankole said quality education rather than craze for certificates is what would help individuals to creatively develop themselves, the community and the nation. The ex-speaker who gave the advice while delivering a lecture titled: “Tertiary Education: The pathway to sustainable development” organised by the Institute of Education, OOU, charged students and lecturers at the university to start conducting researches with a view to finding answers to the challenges and roadblocks to the nation’s path to development.

    Bankole identified poor education of the citizens as responsible for the stunted socio-economic growth and development of the Nigerian society.  He said education must become a priority for Nigeria to develop.

    He said: “We must continue to push for better funding for education; we must continue to demand high standards in schools. We must continue to create opportunities for all Nigerians to obtain a good educational foundation on which to build our lives.”

    “We will continue to educate, to inform ourselves and we will continue to intervene. We can intervene by putting men of character to lead us.

    “We have all types of people, please give them business, let them go and make money, if it is the money they want, they should go and make money, give them business but don’t put them in strategic position of governance.

    “Regardless of the revenues accrued to the economy, the need for better universities must remain a priority if Nigeria is to change and progress.

    “The Federal Government has pledged to invest N369 billion towards education in 2016 Budget, we must ensure that we hold the government accountable to this and that those monies are used judiciously to improve the learning experience of faculty and students alike.”

     

  • We’ve good plans in Sunshine – Bankole

    Wahab Bankole, Sunshine Stars of Akure media officer, has denied insinuation of low morale among players of the club. Bankole spoke against the backdrop of the allegation of low morale in the club resulting in poor performance.

    “Whoever said the players are low in morale is just being economical with the truth; we have good financial remuneration for the players. How can they earn match bonuses when they have not won any match? The thing is called winning bonus and will only be earned when they win matches,” he explained.

    “We keep their money even before every match. If they win against Giwa at the weekend, they will be given their entitlements immediately, so there is no basis alleging that we owe them, or they are not performing because they are less motivated.”

  • Collective efforts needed to defeat insurgency, says Bankole

    Collective efforts needed to defeat insurgency, says Bankole

    Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole, has tasked Nigerians irrespective of party affiliation and ethnicity to join hands with the Federal Government in order to put an end to insurgency in the country.

    He made this call during the inauguration of the Young African MBA (YBA), in Lagos over the weekend. The former number four citizen is the Patron of the youth organisation comprising of young Nigerians desirous of bringing about a positive change in the polity.

    Decrying the political colouration that the fight against terrorism in the country has assumed in the last few years, the former lawmaker charged all Nigerians to put aside their differences and speak with one voice against terrorism.

    He said: “No government whether controlled by the APC or PDP would be happy seeing its citizens being killed. Nigerians irrespective of their differences must cooperate with President Muhammadu and the government towards stamping out terrorism in our dear country. I find it very disheartening that some Nigerians are not speaking with one voice against terrorism in spite of the fact that thousands have been killed by these insurgents.”

    Speaking on the performance of the present administration in the last six months, Bankole noted that it was too early to make an assessment of the Buhari-led government, saying, “Whether on the economy or fight against terrorism, my take is that it is still too early to judge this government. I believe doing that would be rather unfair.”

    The former Speaker charged the youth to rededicate themselves to the task of nation building, while also calling on them to leave their comfort zones to enable them know more about the country.

    “Leaving on Victoria Island, Ikoyi and Lekki would not afford you the opportunity to know Nigeria. I did my National Youth Service and I enjoyed that experience. You cannot know this country by studying abroad and coming back to do your national service in Lagos where you have lived all your life. For the youth, my advice is that there must be a paradigm shift in our orientation if we want to make this country one that we would all be proud of.”

     

  • ‘Nobody can impose Bankole on Ogun PDP’

    ‘Nobody can impose Bankole on Ogun PDP’

    Ogun West Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders have protested alleged moves by the party to impose former House of Representatives Speaker Hon. Dimeji Bankole as the governorship candidate for next year’s election.

    The elders, including  Chief Iyabo Apampa, former Deputy Governor Salmot Badru and Mrs Ebun Oyagbola, who protested against the plot at the party secretariat, Abeokuta, the state capital, said it was in bad faith.

    The protesters bearing placards with various inscriptions, decried  the plan to substitute the governorship candidate, Prince Nasir Isiaka, with Bankole.

    They noted that the  Ogun West has been marginalised politically, adding that the attempt to rob their son, Isiaka, in favour of Bankole was unacceptable.

    The chieftains vowed to resist any attempt by the party leadership to withdraw the mandate already given to Isiaka, urging the two districts-Ogun East and Central-to support their legitimate quest for power shift.

    Ogun West PDP senatorial leader  Hon. Boye Adesina said the few  powerful and undemocratic elements and their collaborators are bent on throwing the chapter into crisis, reminiscent of 2011.

    He said: “It is not in the tradition of the PDP to impose or select candidates for elections but to go through democratic process of open, transparent election as was conducted on Monday December 8th 2014.

    “We passionately appeal to the national leadership of our party not to be hoodwinked by these elements to short-circuit the transparent process that has produced Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka as Ogun State PDP governorship standard bearer for the 2015 election.

    “Ogun West people are seriously agitated for the long years of marginalization in the state and any undue interference to upturn or alter the result of the primary election held on Monday 8th December will not only seriously alienate our people, it will certainly have undesirable consequences on the fortunes of the party in the district.

    “That Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka having emerged as governorship candidate of the PDP in Ogun State through the process as defined by the party, we are irrevocably committed to his candidature.”

    Their protest letter was delivered to  the state Secretary of the PDP, Alhaji Semiu Sodipo ,who assured them that the party would stand by the mandate given to Isiaka during the primary election.

    According to Sodipo,  the state executive committee would send the protest letter to the PDP national secretariat in Abuja.

  • Ogun PDP withdraws contempt charge against Bankole, Daniel

    Ogun PDP withdraws contempt charge against Bankole, Daniel

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday struck out the contempt charge filed against a former House of Representatives Speaker, Dimeji Bankole and former Ogun State governor, Gbenga Daniel.

    It followed the withdrawal of the applications for their committal to prison by the plaintiffs’ counsel, Mr. Ajibola Oluyede.

    The plaintiffs, led by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman in Ogun State, Adebayo Dayo, are alleging that the respondents had been attempting to remove them from office, thereby following g a judgment by the Federal High Court affirming the legality of their positions.

    However, counsel for Bankole and Daniel, Mr. Afolabi Fashanu (SAN) and Prof Taiwo Osipitan (SAN), prayed the court to dismiss the contempt case since they had joined issues, rather than strike it out

    This is because if a court action is struck out, it can be re-filed and started afresh, but if dismissed, the loser’s only option will be to go on appeal.

    Arguing that the case be struck out, Osipitan said prior leave of court was not obtained before Daniel was named as an alleged contemnor.

    “A person like Daniel who was not a party to a judgment cannot be an alleged contemnor without prior leave of court being granted to commence contempt proceedings against such as person,” he said.

    Dr. Yemi Oke, Counsel for a PDP chief who was also accused of contempt, Dave Salako, argued that the appropriate order to make is to dismiss the suit, not strike it out “to prevent further harassment.”

    But Oluyede said contempt proceedings are independent of the case they derive from and not interlocutory, therefore, he can discontinue the charge without consequences.

    He added that the alleged contemnors did not join issues on the merit of the case in any of the contempt applications.

    “Issues cannot be joined on the merit by preliminary objection. We’re well within our right to unilaterally discontinue or withdraw the applications,” Oluyede said.
    Besides, he said in a criminal contempt case, the court’s leave is not required first.

  • ‘Abuja can’t foist Bankole on Ogun PDP’

    ‘Abuja can’t foist Bankole on Ogun PDP’

    Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been embroiled in a crisis over preparations for next year’s general elections. In this interview with Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN, its chairman, Chief Adebayo Dayo, speaks on the disagreement over the choice of the governorship flag bearer.

    Has the Senator David Mark led panel been able to integrate  PDP factions  in Ogun State?

    The Senator David Mark Committee was set up to integrate the new and old members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Southwest states. You know Mark is one of the strong pillars of our party. He was appointed to lead a committee that will stabilise the PDP in the Southwest. When you see a good man, you will see a lot of good things in whatever he does. What the committee is doing in Southwest will help our party. It has been so far, so good.

    Has the panel encountered any problem in that regard?

    The only problem it has is in Ondo State where the state executive of the party was dissolved. It was unfortunate that the Ondo executive was dissolved because its Chairman, Ebenezer Alabi and members of his executive council worked very hard to make sure that the PDP remained strong in the state. As co-ordinator of PDP Southwest chairmen, when I heard Ondo State executive was dissolved, I knew that Senator Mark was not responsible for the dissolution because he believes in the rule of law and due process.

    What is the position of the Southwest PDP Chairmen on the dissolved Ondo State executive?

    As far as we are concerned, the PDP Executive Council is not dissolved. That is the court order. The matter is before the court and the court has ruled that the status quo should remain. The party chairman and members of his executive remain in office until we have a final judgment on the issue. I know that members of the National Working Committee are law abiding, they will always uphold the rule of law.

    Is it true that a faction of the PDP in Ogun is calling for the dissolution of your executive?

    I am not aware of that. It is not true. However, we are in a democratic dispensation; people are free to express their opinion.

    The Ogun PDP executive cannot be dissolved until the expiration of our tenure in March 2016. Our executive is a product of a congress held in February 2012, which was validated by two courts of law.  We have judgments from the Federal High Court and State High Court, Ilaro, confirming the legitimacy of the congress from wards to state level and the elected members of the state executive council. The speculators should be very careful, so that they don’t commit contempt of court.

    What is your reaction to the speculation that the Presidency has endorsed former Speaker Dimeji Bankole for Ogun governorship?

    The thinking of some people is that when a young man had the opportunity of occupying high office, he should remain there forever. It is not possible because time changes. Gone are the days when an individual will remain in the leadership position forever. The only person that remained a leader till his last day on earth was Chief Obafemi Awolowo. He worked for it and got it. Awo was a great man; a consistent leader who never misled his followers. Many people think they could be a leader like Awo. How many of them can shun social vices like womanising, drinking and lying like Awo did. Awo was always busy in his study room thinking of how to improve the lots of common Nigerians.

    Bankole is a young man. I love him. But, he doesn’t know who his friends and enemies are. A man who is not ready to listen and learn from someone else’s experience, because he is too much in a hurry, how will he not make mistakes? He thought because he had occupied high office in the past that he will continue to be in big office for the rest of his life. That is why he is thinking of automatic ticket.

    I have told all PDP governorship aspirants in Ogun State that I am the umpire for the race. I have no interest in who picks the ticket. My ambition is that the PDP should win in Ogun in 2015. If I am a younger man looking for appointment from a governor, I would probably take side with an aspirant. I don’t have ambition of seeking political appointment. I want to organise a free and fair primary that will be acceptable to all concerned.

    If Abuja politicians give any aspirant automatic ticket, then they have to come down to Ogun State to vote for their anointed candidate. All I know is that we are preparing for the primaries through which candidates for elective offices would emerge. The delegates elected by the party members would decide the fate of the aspirants, including those seeking governorship tickets. Nobody can impose candidates on us in Ogun State. All the candidates would emerge through due process.

    What is your working relationship with Jubril Martins Kuye (JMK) like?

    What many people don’t know is that I happen to be a follower of JMK group for 18 years. JMK has been my leader. There are no more factions or groups in Ogun PDP. Kuye played a major role in making Gbenga Daniel governor in 2003. I regard him as my leader. But, he is not the only leader in the Ogun State chapter.  Daniel is one of the leaders in Ogun State today, Prince Kashamu is another leader, Senator Otegbola is also a leader. Being leaders do not mean that they have groups. We have settled all our differences in Ogun PDP. If our governorship candidate emerged either through consensus or primary, we will all work together.

    But, where an aspirant is contented with  the promise of an automatic ticket by Abuja suggests that he lacks grassroots support. With the acceptability of a candidate by party members, 50 per cent of the workload is over. Through complimentary efforts, the party will make up the outstanding 50 per cent.  If you are not popular among the party supporters, it is not possible for the party to win the election for you.

    Have you fully integrate Gbenga Daniel’s group back into the PDP?

    Thirty minutes ago, I received a text from Daniel, telling where he was. That speaks volume that our working relationship is very cordial. As someone who has been governor for eight years, he had helped many people through appointments. He has a lot of followers. The challenge I have now is how to manage the high calibre of people and having a working relationship with them. I don’t have any problem with Daniel and his followers. I am sure with the old and new group working together, the sky is the limit for us in Ogun PDP.

    Are you reaching out to other opposition parties like Social Democratic Party (SDP)?

    Yes, we have been discussing with our leader Chief Olusegun Osoba for a very long time. The relationship is very cordial, but we have not concluded any arrangement on 2015 elections.

    How many governorship aspirants have submitted their nomination forms?

    We have 11 in our records here in Ogun. They are Kayode Amusan, Tony Ojesina, Prince Yanju Lipede, Dr. Remilekun Bakare, Alhaji Sarafa Tunji Ishola, Dr. Femi Majekodunmi, Prof. David Bamgbose, Hon. Isiaka Akinlade, Omoba Segun Adewale, Prince Gboyega Isiaka, and Alhaji Rafiu Ogunleye.

    What of Dimeji Bankole?

    I am not aware of Dimeji Bankole’s intention. I have given you what we have in our records. May be he collected and submitted his form at Abuja.

    In addition to governorship aspirants, 109 aspirants for House of Assembly, 59 for House of Representatives and 10 for Senate have submitted their forms.

    How would you manage post-primary crisis?

    Unless we want to deceive ourselves, the people that have remained in the party over the years will have an edge over those that are just returning. But, we will make sure that the positions go round. Most of the returnees have got waivers to contest. We will support them in achieving their political ambition. We shall work together at the general elections.

    Are you prepared for the general elections?

    The large number of aspirants filing nomination papers shows the strength of the party. We have 11 governorship aspirants that cut across the three senatorial zones, canvassing votes in their respective constituencies. It is a warm up for the party’s campaign to commence. With the party structure and the party manifesto, the PDP is the party to beat in Ogun State.

  • Contempt charge filed against Bankole, Daniel

    Contempt charge filed against Bankole, Daniel

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) executives in Ogun State have initiated contempt proceedings at the Federal High Court in Lagos against former House of Representatives Speaker Dimeji Bankole and former Governor Gbenga Daniel for allegedly disobeying a court order.

    The court yesterday granted leave to the applicants to serve the charge on the alleged contemnors, which include a former House of Representatives member Dave Salako.

    The plaintiffs, Adebayo Dayo and Semiu Sodipo, alleged that the respondents had been attempting to remove them from office, despite two Federal High Court judgments affirming the executives’ legality.

    They said just as Ondo State PDP executive was dissolved, the respondents were making moves to dissolve the Ogun executive, with the alleged aim of installing their loyalists.

    They alleged that because of Bankole’s political ambition, he was not comfortable with the present PDP executive in the state, and had been attempting to get them sacked by PDP’s National Integration Committee.

    The applicants said the respondents perceive them as working against their political interest.

    Justice Okon Abang, who granted the leave following the plaintiffs’ ex-parte application, ordered that the notice of committal and accompanying processes be served on the alleged contemnors in Abuja and Ogun State.

    The judge also said the court documents could be pasted in a conspicuous part of Ogun PDP secretariat, while Daniel should be served through Crystal Laurel, his office in Maryland, Lagos.

    He said it would be in the interest of justice for the alleged contemnors to be served through substituted means and ordered that status quo be maintained, adding that the planned removal of the Dayo-led executive should be put on hold until the suit is heard and determined.

    The judge warned that he would reverse any steps that may be taken before the determination of the committal proceedings, adding that status quo must be maintained. “He who has ears should heed the directive,” the judge said.

    Justice Abang, however, did not grant an interim injunction seeking to restrain the National Integration Committee of the PDP from dissolving the Ogun State Executive Committee.

    The judge also declined to grant interim injunction restraining the alleged contemnors from conducting themselves in such manner that is designed to disrupt the structure of the Ogun PDP as presently constituted.

    He also refused to restrain the respondents from participating in any activities of the PDP in Ogun State including meetings, congresses and or primaries except as organised by the Dayo-led executive.

    According to the judge, the justice of the matter requires that the respondents should be allowed to present their side of the issue before a decision is taken.

    He adjourned till November 5.

  • Ogun 2015: What is Bankole up to?

    Ogun 2015: What is Bankole up to?

    Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is searching for a credible governorship candidate to run against Governor Ibikunle Amosun in next year’s election. A section of the party has endorsed former House of Representatives Speaker Dimeji Bankole for the governorship. But, another section is kicking against the endorsement. Can Bankole get the ticket? Correspondent ERNEST NWOKOLO examines the politics of endorsement and the former legislator’s  chances at the primaries.

    Former Speaker of the House of  Representatives Dimeji Bankole has an ambition. In next year’s election, he wants to contest against Governor Ibikunle Amosun. A section of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has endorsed his aspiration. But, many stakeholders are also kicking against it. The question is: can he get the ticket?

    Bankole has been nursing the ambition before the death of President Umaru Yar’ Adua. He was very close to the former leader. But, when Dr. Goodluck Jonathan succeeded him, there were new calculations. In 2011, his tenure as the Speaker ended. The people of Abeokuta South Constituency voted for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, a relatively known Segun Williams. . Thus, the man who succeeded former Speaker  Patricia Etteh failed in his third term bid for the House.

    The defeat was particularly shocking and humiliating. Bankole had hoped to keep his seat and continue as the Speaker in the Lower Chamber. Unlike his Senate counterpart, Gen. David Mark, who made it,  Bankole returned home to a divided party battling with crises. Since then, he has been scheming to bounce back.

    On returning to Abeokuta, the state capital, he could not unify the divided party. Neither could he avert the defections to the APC and the Labour Party (LP). The factional leaders have not sheathed their swords. Although Bankole has been preaching unity, his advice has fallen on deaf ears.

    Shortly after leaving the position of the Speaker, Bankole was being hunted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC). He was arraigned at the Federal High Court, Abuja. Before he left office, there was an allegation that he was involved in  N9bn contract scam.

    The EFCC had claimed that the ex – Speaker  had a hand in the fraudulent purchase of two Range Rover bullet-proof vehicles,  two Range Rover vehicles, three Mercedes Benz S-600 cars, 400 television sets, 400 units of DSTV systems, 800 units of desktop computers, and 100 units of Sharp Digital Copier.

    But, in February, respite came his way as the court  discharged and acquitted him, following the inability of the anti-graft body to prove the allegation.

    For Bankole, the trial was a bitter side of politics. Having survived it, he believed that the coast was clear for him to move forward. He renewed his bid for the governorship. Bankole strated to hold consultations with stakeholders. Now, his aspiration has become a divisive issue in Ogun PDP.

    Few months ago, he met secretly  with public relations experts in Lagos to assist in laundering his image.Roles were assigned to these foot soldiers. According to sources, they were to storm over 4,500 villages and communities to prepare the ground for his ambition. Their assignment also include door-to-door mobilisation and political sensitisation.

    However, Bankole is in a dilemma. While some people have advised him to contest the governorship, others said that he should try his luck at the senatorial election. Sources said that prominent PDP leaders have yet to give him their assurance that they would back him for the number one seat. The President, a source said, is not also thinking about him. There is also a division among Egba leaders. Majority of them are supporting Amosun for a second term.

    The ex – Speaker is a Muslim. He is an Egba indigene from the Ogun Central Senatorial District. Amosun is also a Muslim and an Egba from Owu in the Central District.

    To analysts, if Bankole picks the governorship ticket, he would have to scramble for votes from the Central District with the governor, who enjoys incumbency power.

    Besides, Amosun is perceived as a performer, who has changed the face of the state capital. The governor is also popular in Ogun East(Ijebuland and Remo) and Ogun West(Yewaland) because he has turned them into a huge construction site. Therefore, it may be difficult for Bankole to campaign against him across the three districts.

    Bankole  also faces other challenges. Will the people of Yewaland cast their vote for Bankole, another Egba man? The thinking is that, if he gets there in 2015, he will like to go for a second term. That means that the ambition of governorship contenders from the highly marginalised Yewa/Awori ethnic group would be in jeopardy.

    The fear of defeat at the poll appeared to have also seized Bankole in recent times. Sources said that   he is worried about the likely effect of electoral defeat for the second term at home. Should he be defeated, he would become an electoral liability in need of rehabilitation.

    Another challenge is that Ogun PDP is now a weak platform. The factions are waxing stronger in crisis to the detriment of the platform. Things have continued to fall apart and the centre cannot hold. Reconciliation has failed and warring leaders are working at cross-purposes. In this atmosphere of disunity, the PDP’s calculations for 2015 are affected.

    The PDP went for the 2011 general elections as a divided house. Failing to put its house in order, it lost its deposit at the polls as over 95 per cent the elective seats were swept by the APC. The Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN), which was a faction of the PDP, also could not make a headway. Up to now, the followers of former Governor Gbenga Daniel and the PDP executive committee led by Chief Bayo Dayo are still at loggerheads.

    The crisis, mistrust and division that heralded the party’s woeful defeat have not abated. Although majority of PDP leaders in Ogun claim to be working for the second term ambition of President Jonathan, they have not closed ranks at home.

    Few months ago, a chieftain, Prince Buruji Kashamu, dismissed Bankole’s  consultation with stakeholders as a joke. The PDP Southwest mobiliser and financier said his aspiration does not enjoy the support of party followers.

    Since 2011, Bankole appeared to have  been aloof to local politics. Thus, his sudden re-appearance was a surprise to many people. After losing his seat, he was left in the cold. Federal appointments eluded him and he was never perceived as one of the national leaders of the party.

    Kashamu  gave reason for dismissing Bankole’s ambition as a ruse. He said: “Like most people, I also heard of Dimeji Bankole’s ambition through the media. Every true member of the party, who has an ambition, is free to declare it. In fact, we expect more of such declarations to be made in the days ahead. However, such ambitions should be done with respect for constituted authority.

    “Anyone who says because he has an ambition, things must be done his own way, is definitely not serious. Anyone who says, for him to realise his ambition, the authentic and legally recognised state executive put in place by party members should be broken,  is definitely a joker.”

    Also, earlier during his numerous row with the then Governor, Gbenga Daniel,  while serving as Speaker, Bankole was reported to have said that he was too busy with national assignments of making life better for Nigerians towards initiating and supervising quality laws and rarely have time for the “Ogun local politics.”

    Also, many have said in Egbaland that Bankole is in the race to fulfill the long time dream of his father to rule the state. But, the old man has since forgotten that dream. In fact, a source said that the elderly Bankole, an astute politician, had advised his son to vie for either the Senate of the House of Representatives, based on the reality on ground. To him, parliamentary elections are not as tedious as the governorship.

    The former Speaker may have heeded the advise by shelving his public declaration last week. But, some of his associates said that he has not given up hope.

    When he visited the party’s office, the ex – Speaker told party leaders and his supporters that he had not come to make any declaration, but to preach a message of unity. He said Ogun PDP needed harmony to move forward.

    Bankole said: “There is no word about aspiration or any other sort in the letter I sent to you and I want that established. If I ever decide to aspire, I will come and tell you. This is not the purpose of the visit.

    “We mend the fences of our members, aggrieved people inside and outside this party, to make sure that we give the opposition party a good run for their money in 2015.  That is the purpose of my visit. That has been the purpose of the three senatorial districts that I have done and I will continue to do so.  It is precisely what I’ve done in the three senatorial districts since I came back from the United States a few months ago, which is the purpose of unifying our great party.

    “ I’ve come to report my own findings to you all and  appeal to the wisdom of this state executive on what needs to be done in averting a mistake, precisely after a proper diagnosis of what happened to us in 2011.”

    However, a source said that Bankole may declare his ambition in few weeks. According to the source, the former Speaker is waiting for the blessing of Aso Villa. Although there are hurdles on the way, he is hopeful. For Bankole, hope is the elixir of life.

  • Stop tour of LGs, Ogun PDP tells Bankole

    Stop tour of LGs, Ogun PDP tells Bankole

    THE Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has directed the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole to desist from his tours of party formations in the state. In a letter dated 12th September, 2014, signed by the State Secretary, Alahji Semiu Sodipo, and addressed to the Bankole, the party said that Bankole’s move is causing disaffection within the party and urged him to put a stop to it.

    The letter, which was entitled “Stoppage of Your Unapproved Tours/Political Campaigns”, was also copied to the National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Adamu Mua’zu and the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Prof Rufai Alkali. The letter reads: “This is to inform you that the Party is being inundated with reports that your tour of some Local Governments is causing disaffection among Party members and thereby creating disharmony and threatening the peace in the rank and file of the Party membership. “In this connection, you are hereby directed to put a stop to any tour as it is not serving the interest of the Party.”