The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Buruji Kashamu

  • Kashamu hails Abiodun on election

    Ogun State People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate Buruji Kashamu has congratulated the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on his election as the governor-elect.

    In a statement he released after Abiodun was announced as the winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Kashamu thanked God for giving him the grace to be part of the electoral process.

    The statement reads: “I thank God that all through our intra-party struggle and the campaign itself, no life was lost. I also want to thank all the good people of Ogun State for standing by me. I appreciate all those who voted for me and those who did not. My appreciation also goes to the traditional rulers and various religious and interest groups for their support. To everyone who supported me financially and morally, I am eternally grateful.

    “Kudos to my wife and other members of my family; my running mate, Dr. Reuben Abati; the Director-General of the  Kashamu-Abati Campaign Organisation, Dr. Remilekun Bakare and everyone who worked at the campaign organisation. I appreciate the time and sacrifice that you put into the struggle.

    “Yes, it was a struggle against arbitrariness, injustice and the overbearing attitude of some of our political actors. We put in our best. But, from the outcome of the election, our best was not good enough. May Almighty God take control of the rest.”

    On the outcome of the election, Kashamu said, “It was clear to all that while our opponents were on the field, we spent most of the time going in and out of court because some persons think they could use their wealth to ride roughshod over us. We thank God they did not succeed. We fought like men and contested the election against all odds.”

     

  • Kashamu our son, say Remo monarchs

    Monarchs in Remoland have described the Governorship Candidate of the PDP in Ogun State, Senator Buruji Kashamu as “a son of the soil”.

    Speaking in Sagamu on Wednesday when Kashamu visited the Remo Traditional Rulers-in-Council, the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Babatunde Ajayi expressed gratitude to the monarchs in Remoland for joining him to receive “our son”.

    He expressed hope when Kashamu gets to office he will not forget the traditional institution as promised.

    Oba Ajayi also commended the governorship candidate for giving priority to the issue of local government autonomy, adding that it was one issue dear to his heart.

    He added that they had been receiving other governorship candidates but this was an exception.

    “He is the only who has come with a policy document and a letter of undertaking so that we can hold him accountable should he depart from his promises.

    Read Also: Court to hear Kashamu extradition case March 8

    “I would like to appeal to all the Kabiyesi to please read the policy document, ” Oba Ajayi said

    Ewusi of Makun-Sagamu, Oba Timothy Akinsanya, commended Kashamu for the leadership traits and political maturity that he displayed on the 13th of January, 2019 when some hoodlums acting on the instructions of a member of the House of Representatives attacked his supporters and destroyed his campaign vehicles in Sagamu at the New Year/Thanksgiving Service of former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel.

    Oba Akinsanya prayed for Kashamu and asked God to make his aspiration a reality.

    The Onirolu of Irolu, His Royal Highness, Oba Sikiru Adeyiga and the Oludotun of Idotun-Ikene, His Royal Highness, Oba Odunayo Solarin, also took turns to pray for Kashamu’s success at the polls.

    Oba Ajayi presented to Kashamu the Remo Growth and Development Plan, which he said, is usually presented to “special people who stand a good chance of assuming leadership”.

    The plan, he added, was put together by the Remo Foundation.

  • Supreme Court rejects PDP’s appeal on Ogun crisis

    ….Strikes out appeals against Dayo’s EXCO

     

    The Supreme Court on Monday declined jurisdiction over two appeals by the national leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) against the Senator Buruji Kashamu backed leadership of the party in Ogun State.

    The appeals marked: SC/968/2018 (PDP v. Eng Adebayo Dayo & 4 others) and SC/1203/2018 (PDP v. Pegba Otemolu and 3 others, were struck out by a five-man panel of the court led by Musa Datijo Muhammad.

    The court said the appeals, being pre-election related were incompetent because they were not filed within the 14 days allowed under Section 285(9) of the Constitution, others referred to as the 4th Alteration Act.

    Justice Muhammad said the court no longer possessed the necessary jurisdiction to hear the appeal because it has become statute barred, lifeless and worthless, having been caught by the 4th Alteration to the 1999 Constitution.

    PDP in the appeal had challenged the judgment of Justice Buba Ibrahim of the Federal High Court and upheld by the Court of Appeal which conferred recognition on the Dayo Adebayo led Executive Committee of the party in Ogun State as the authentic leadership.

    Read Also; Supreme Court decides Rivers APC’s fate Tuesday

    At the resumed hearing in the first appeal, the court asked the appellant’s lawyer Emeka Etiaba (SAN) whether the case was a pre-election matter to which he answered in the negative.

    He said the appeal was about the leadership of the PDP in Ogun State and was not election related.

    Lawyer to the respondents, Alex Izinyon (SAN) insisted that it was a pre-election matter because it relates to the candidate nomination for the next general election.

    Izinyon drew the court’s attention to ground 8 of the application filed on December 14, 2018 by the appellant for accelerated hearing of the appeal, where the appellant said the subject of the matter is to determine who are the rightful candidates of the appellant in Ogun State.

    He also referred to paragraphs 11, 12 and 13 of the affidavit supporting the application where the appellant also said that the matter is about the determination of which of the two set of candidates that emanated from the two executive of the party should Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should accept.

    He also had informed the court that the appeal has become a mere academic exercise because it has been caught by the 4th Alteration Act which requires the filing of a pre-election suit within 14 days.

    The court agreed with Izinyon and held that the case was a pre-election matter, on which the court no longer has jurisdiction in view of the effect of the 4th Alteration Act.

    Although Etiaba made spirited effort to sway the court to his side with argument that the suit was not a pre-election matter, the Supreme Court refused to accept his argument.

    He eventually agreed with the court position and withdrew the appeal.

    Justice Muhammad, in his ruling agreed with Izinyon that the appeal has become statute barred and lifeless, He consequently struck it out.

    ‎The same fate befell the second appeal when it was called later.

  • Court to PDP: present flags to INEC-approved Ogun candidates

    The Federal High Court in Abeokuta on Thursday refused the application of a member of the House of Representatives Oladipupo Adebutu and others seeking to prevent the Governorship Candidate of the PDP in Ogun State, Senator Buruji Kashamu and others from being joined as “necessary and interested parties” in a suit pending before the court.

    Adebutu and others had filed the suit in which they are asking the court for an order of mandamus to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish their names in place of the ones already published by the Commission.

    When the matter came up on Thursday, counsel to Kashamu and others, Prince Raphael Ajibola Oluyede, informed the court that his clients who are the candidates whose names had been published by INEC were interested in the matter but were not joined. Hence, they had filed an application as interveners who are willing to be joined.

    But, counsel to the Plaintiffs, Mr. Afolabi Fashanu (SAN) objected to the joining of the applicant/interveners.

    After much argument, the court presided by Justice Abubakar Shittu held that the applicant/interveners were necessary parties that should have been joined. Consequently, the court joined them.

    Thereafter, Oluyede informed the court that they had filed an affidavit disclosing that the Plaintiffs and their collaborators were parading themselves as candidates of the party while they were still before the court praying to be declared as candidates.

    He added that they plan to hold a rally on Saturday where they will be paraded and flags presented to them as candidates of the party even when INEC has not published their names and for which reason they were before the court.

    Oluyede submitted that such an action could lead to a breakdown of law and order and render the case before the court nugatory, if the court does not intervene, adding that the Police have already summoned an emergency security meeting based on the tension being generated by the matter.

    He prayed the court to direct the Police not to grant any permission for a rally where flags will be presented to Adebutu and others.

    Read Also: 2019: Obasanjo meets with politicians in Ogun

    Alternatively, he urged the court to declare that if such a rally must hold, it is only those whose names have been published by INEC as the authentic candidates of the PDP in Ogun State that should be presented as candidates of the party in the state.

    Fashanu opposed the prayers, saying they were speculative.

    Ruling on the prayers, the court held that where the issue of a potential breakdown of law and order was raised, it has a duty to look at it and take steps to prevent it, adding that the Rule of Law was the basis upon which INEC and the parties conduct their activities.

    The court held that where the Rule of Law was jettisoned, it would result in the breakdown of law and order such as being raised by the applicant.

    The court then directed the parties in the matter (i.e. the plaintiffs and the respondents) and their counsel to refrain from being used to foist a fait accompli on the court or cause a breakdown of law and order.

    It also directed PDP not to hold anyone out or present anyone as candidates except those who names have been published by INEC pending the hearing and determination of the suits before it, stressing that anything done contrary to the position of the law would be contemptuous and could lead to the breakdown of law and order.

    The court adjourned till 14th February, 2019, for hearing of the substantive suit and all pending applications before it.

  • Stop misleading voters, Kashamu tells Secondus

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State Senator Buruji Kashamu has urged the party’s national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, to stop misleading voters.

    Kashamu, who was reacting to a letter written by Secondus and the party’s National Secretary, Senator Ibrahim Umaru Tsauri to INEC asking the electoral body to recognize Honourable Ladi Adebutu as the party’s governorship candidate, said the letter was a tissue of lies meant to blackmail INEC.

    He declared the ploy would fail.

    Kashamu, in a 4th of February, 2019 letter entitled, “Re: Final List of Nominated Candidates in Ogun State” addressed to the National Chairman, accused Secondus of twisting facts with a view to blackmailing INEC.

    According to Kashamu, the Secondus’ letter “drips with the usual lies and blackmail that you have always peddled to obfuscate obvious facts and issues that are glaringly in the public domain.”

    He added: “Ordinarily, I would not have responded since the Commission is aware of the issues and has the benefit of sound legal advice from senior lawyers and experts. However, since you are not tired of telling lies, I would also not be tired of telling the truth and exposing your lies to the whole world.”

    Going into the genesis of the crisis, Kashamu said, “The indubitable fact is that the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos had on the 24th of June, 2016, delivered a judgment in which it directed the PDP and INEC to deal exclusively with the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun State PDP Executive.

    “This same judgment was reaffirmed by the Honourable Justice M.B. Idris on the 9th of February, 2018.

    “These two judgments formed the basis of the 12th of April, 2018 letter written to you by the Commission in which it informed you of its decision to comply with the terms of both judgments.”

    Kashamu said despite the judgments and INEC’s position, the PDP leadership under Secondus opted to act contrary to the position of the law by supporting an illegal executive in the state.

    “If you chose to disobey the law and INEC decided to obey the law, how can you blame me for your misfortune?” Kashamu asked Secondus.

    Read Also: Secondus to APC: Don’t kill Buhari with undue pressure

    The letter reads further, “Contrary to your claims, I wish to remind you that in its guidelines for the 2019 general election dated the 4th October, 2019, INEC expressly stated that notwithstanding its requirements for the National Chairman and National Secretary to endorse the Commission’s Nomination Forms (not PDP’s nomination forms), it added in Item 6.1 that, ‘Political Parties are to note that where there is a Court Order in respect of the nomination of any candidate, the Commission shall be guided by such Order.’

    “Now, in the Ogun State PDP case, there are three subsisting judgments of the High Court and two rulings of the Court of Appeal. In its 25th of October, 2018 letter to you, the Commission referred to three suits, namely FHC/L/CS/636/2016; FHC/L/CS/1556/2017 and FHC/AB/CS/114/2018.

    It was the interlocutory orders in one out of the three suits (i.e. FHC/AB/CS/114/2018) that were determined by the Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan on the 18th of December, 2018, leaving the final judgments in the two other cases (FHC/L/CS/636/2016; FHC/L/CS/1556/2017) that came first-in-time subsisting and valid till date.

    “The only appeal against one of the two subsisting and final judgments was dismissed by the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos on the 4th of May, 2017. A further attempt to relist it was struck out on the 11th of July, 2018.

    “The second judgment by the Honourable Justice M.B. Idris (now of the Court of Appeal) was not appealed at all.

    “It is inconceivable that the same person who deliberately flouts valid and subsisting rulings and judgments of court could turn round to blame the Commission for his contemptuous acts against the court and the whole judiciary.

    “Mr. Chairman, you are the one choosing and picking the judgments to obey. You lack the moral right to accuse the Commission of what you are known for.

    “If the National Chairman and National Secretary of the PDP willfully refused to sign forms that were duly submitted to them in spite of subsisting court judgments directing them to accord recognition to the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun State PDP Exco and its activities, including the conduct of congresses/primaries, how can they hold the judgment creditors or the Commission liable for their disobedience?

    “It was based on the valid and subsisting judgments of court (not only the interlocutory orders of the FHC, Abeokuta) that Engr. Adebayo Dayo, as the Chairman of the Ogun State PDP Exco, presided over the congress (es) where candidates were elected in line with Section 25(1) of the Peoples Democratic Party Constitution 2017 (as amended) which states: ‘There shall be a State Party Congress which shall consist of: The State Chairman who shall be the Chairman.

    “’Section 25(2C) states further: ‘The function of the State Congress shall be to: (c)     Elect Governorship candidates of the Party’, among others.’

    “It is from the congress chaired by the State Chairman that the list of candidates to represent a Party can be generated and submitted to the Commission.

    “The role of the national leadership or its representatives is merely nominal and observatory. More so, such roles are subject to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act and the PDP Constitution.  It does not give the national leadership of the Party the latitude to act irresponsibly or illegally compile list of candidates.

    “When the INEC guidelines say the National Chairman and National Secretary are to sign the Commission’s Nomination Forms, it never envisaged a situation where the leaders of a political party would not obey valid and subsisting judgments of court. Thankfully, the Commission gave the proviso that, ‘…where there is a Court Order in respect of the nomination of any candidate, the Commission shall be guided by such Order’.”

    Kashamu added: “It is also misleading and mischievous to claim that the Commission based its decision to accept, process and publish the list of Ogun State PDP candidates on the ‘judgment of the High Court (Abeokuta’s Division)’.

    “As stated above, INEC’s decision was based on three suits. The Federal High Court order that was set aside is just one out of the three suits cited by the Commission.

    “Two final judgments of court of competent jurisdiction are still valid, binding and subsisting. Even the order said to have been set aside had been overtaken by events.

    “On the so-called implications of the judgment of the Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan, I challenge you to quote a part of the judgment that validated your claim or declared Adebutu as the Ogun State PDP governorship candidate.

    “For the umpteenth time, I would refer you to the findings of the Court of Appeal at page 12 of the judgment wherein the Court held, ‘The action instituted at the Lower Court is also not in respect of selection or nomination of candidates to represent the 1st Appellant at an election nor is it a complaint against any election, decision or activity of the INEC (10th Respondent). It is in my view, simply an inter-party (sic) dispute between two factions of the party as to which of the factions is the legitimate State Executive of the P.D.P in Ogun State. This appeal is therefore not in respect of a pre-election matter.’

    “The findings and decision of the Court of Appeal in the Judgment of 18th December, 2018, clearly shows that the subject of the said appeal was neither related to pre-election issues nor the nomination of candidates to represent the Ogun State PDP at the election.

    “Therefore, since the said appeal and judgment do not relate to the list of candidates that would represent the Ogun State PDP at the February 16 and March 2, 2019 elections, the Court of Appeal could not have pronounced on the list of candidates from Ogun State.

    “What is more, as can be clearly seen on the face of the appeal, Adebutu was not a party to the appeal. So, how can anyone claim that he is a beneficiary of the judgment?

    “It was when you and Adebutu realised that the appeal court judgment did not enure in your favour that you hurriedly and surreptitiously went to the FCT High Court to file a suit meant to ambush me and my associates.

    “You wanted the court to declare Adebutu as the governorship candidate of the PDP in Ogun State without joining me as an interested party or someone who would be affected by the outcome of the suit. It was by providence that I got to know of the suit and applied to be joined in the matter.

    “Again, the devilish move backfired when the court found that you acted in flagrant disobedience of subsisting judgment (s), refused your prayers and dismissed the suit.

    “The FCT High Court expressly held on the 14th of January, 2019 that since all the actions of the national leadership of the Party were done in defiance of valid and subsisting court judgments they could not stand.

    “So, what is all the lies and blackmail against INEC about? The Commission has acted rightly – in line with its avowed commitment to be law-abiding and rein in political parties when they act illegally and irresponsibly as in this case.”

    Kashamu advised Secondus to desist from dragging the name of the party in the mud and support him for PDP to win in Ogun State.

  • INEC list: Don’t rejoice yet, Adebutu tells Kashamu

    A governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun state Hon. Ladi Adebutu, on Friday, advised Senator Buruji Kashamu not to rejoice yet over his recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the party’s candidate.

    Adebutu said the INEC’s final list which has the name of Buruji and his co-travellers as candidates for the forthcoming general elections is “just a temporary one,” declaring that he – Adebutu, would not only smile, but also laugh last.

    The Federal lawmaker who made this known in a statement by Dayo Rufai, the Associate Media Team Head, Ladi Adebutu Democratic Organisation, added that it was disheartening that INEC would insist on listing Kashamu as a governorship candidate when he was never a part of valid primary organised and conducted by a legitimate Committee of the PDP.

    The undaunted governorship hopeful accused INEC of pandering to the desires of the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) in the state, which, he stressed, informed why it elected to ignore the valid order of the Appellate court and proceeded to make Kashamu a candidate which shouldn’t be, according Rufai in the statement.

    The statement reads:”It is disheartening to note that after we have complied with all electoral guidelines in line with the constitutional provision of the Federal republic of Nigeria, INEC still insists on doing its bidding. We went through an open primary, supervised by the National Secretariat of the party, and even monitored by same INEC as the electoral umpire, and at the end of it all, we were declared the winner.

    “Few weeks after, Sen Buruji Kashamu who was never part of the primary sat down somewhere and personally handpicked some names to represent the interest of the party in the state.

    “To push their desperation further, Buruji went to an Abeokuta High Court to seek for an injunction to force INEC to accept their own list. The injunction was hurriedly granted only for the Court of Appeal in Ibadan to set the order aside.

    “So, rather than INEC to respect the order of the appellate court, and accept our own list in compliance with the directive of the PDP NWC, INEC with their position, has now become a tool in the hand of APC where the umpire is now to choose who and who represents the party interest.

    “Anyway, we remained unshaken and even much more determined to carry on with our campaign to all the LG areas in the state.

    “We are very hopeful and in high spirit that the final list which has the name of Buruji and his co-travellers is just a temporary one, as Hon Ladi Adebutu and other party candidates will smile at the end of the day.”

  • Kashamu our adopted son – Yewa traditional rulers

    Monarchs in Yewaland have described the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State Senator Buruji Kashamu as “an adopted son of Yewaland”.

    Speaking when Kashamu paid a consultative visit to the Yewa Traditional Rulers-in-Council in Ilaro on Wednesday, the Eselu of Oja Odan, Oba Ebenezer Akinyemi, said Kashamu was entitled to the same rights and privileges as the sons and daughters of Yewaland.

    The meeting was presided over by the Paramount Ruler of Yewaland and the Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle.

    Oba Akinyemi described Senator Kashamu as “a born philanthropist” as he listed the lawmaker’s various humanitarian interventions and activities across Ogun State, the South West and Nigeria in general.

    The traditional rulers, including the Onimeko of Imeko, Oba Benjamin Oyeditan Olanite, prayed for Senator Kashamu’s success at the polls.

    Kashamu said he was in Ilaro to seek the blessings and support of the traditional rulers for his aspiration.

    He recalled his support for Yewa candidates who aspired to be governors of the state in the past.

    “Your Royal Majesty, although the two candidates from Ogun West Senatorial District are your sons, I dare say with all sense of humility that I am your son and loyal friend because as the English would say, ‘a true friend sticks closer than a brother’. There is also a saying that ‘One loyal friend is worth 10, 000 relatives.’

    Read Also: Kashamu to Ogun PDP members: let’s unite

    “It is for this reason that we have come to seek your support since fate has brought us together.”

    He also reiterated his commitment to releasing all allocations due to local governments.

    “I will not deduct from their allocations. This is to ensure grassroots development.

    “I also commit to remitting all statutory deductions from staff salaries to the relevant unions and authorities as and when due.

    “Also, substantial funds shall be set aside to assist the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Loans from the funds shall attract no interest,” he said

    To further demonstrate his resolve to fulfilling his promises, Senator Kashamu gave an undertaking dated 28th January, 2019, to the traditional Rulers-in-Council stating his resolve not to tamper with council funds.

  • Kashamu to Ogun PDP members: let’s unite

    The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Senator Buruji Kashamu, has urged members of the party to unite.

    Kashamu, in a statement, said fighting was not in the party’s interest.

    His statement reads: ” Following the publication of the list of National Assembly candidates by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), it has become imperative for me make a few remarks.

    “It has been a long-drawn battle between the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun State PDP Executive and the Sikirulai Ogundele group which is backed Honourable Oladipupo Adebutu.

    “While the dispute lasted, I have always maintained that it is through the instrumentality of the Rule of Law that any perceived wrong can be corrected.

    “I reckon that when there is a dispute, there could be groupings. But our position has been that we should not allow such groupings to divide us, looking at the glory ahead of us.

    “We all know that Ogun State is a PDP state. Unfortunately, the PDP has been out of government for eight years which looked like forever.

    “We are also aware of how tough things have been for the vast majority of our people.

     “That is why I and Honourable Ladi Adebutu have intervened to ameliorate the plight of our people through our Constituency Projects and various philanthropic activities.

    “Notwithstanding the misunderstanding between the two groups, now that the courts have delivered their verdicts and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has complied, it is time to look beyond the gladiators; lay aside our personal interest and prejudices and work for the PDP.

     “This is the right path to take if we wish our state well and have its interest at heart.

     “We believe that the PDP can build on the foundations laid by the founding fathers of our dear state and its current minders, and take it to greater heights.

    “With the last judgment delivered by the FCT High Court, the issue of the list of candidates has been resolved.

    “This has been further accentuated by INEC’s publication of the list of National Assembly candidates.

     “In the light of the above, and with a high sense of responsibility, I wish to respectfully urge all our elders, leaders, members and followers to close ranks and work together in all the 236 wards of Ogun State.

     “The mission of every genuine PDP member should be to win the state. Therefore, I enjoin all members of the party to work towards ensuring victory for the party. It is only when the party wins that our collective aspiration of having a better Ogun State can be realised.

    “I thank all our elders, leaders, members and followers for their unwavering support, steadfastness and love all through the years.”

  • Ogun governorship: Court dismisses Adebutu’s suit against Kashamu

    A Federal Capital Territory High Court on Monday dismissed a suit by a member of the House of Representatives, Oladipupo Adebutu against the emergence of Senator Buruji Kashamu as governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State for the March 2, 2019 governorship election.

    In a judgment, Justice Ajoke Adepoju held Adebutu, who was nominated by the National Working Committee (NWC) of PDP for the governorship election, cannot maintain his suit against the defendants because the primary election that produced him (Adebutu) was conducted in violation of a subsisting court judgment.

    Adebutu had, by the suit marked: FCT/FT/CV/29/2018, challenged refusal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to accept his candidacy.

    Justice Adepoju was of the view the PDP NWC acted in bad faith by disregarding a subsisting judgment of a Federal High Court to produce the candidate.

    Justice Adepoju said since PDP was a party in the judgment given by Justice Ibrahim Buba (of the Federal High Court), the judgment of the court was binding on it and must be obeyed and respected to protect the sanctity of court in the interest of the rule of law.

    Read Also: 955 persons charged to FRSC mobile courts

    The judge noted it was the party’s (PDP’s) NWC that has the power to conduct governorship primary election but said the NWC, in exercising such power, must not act in violation of any court judgment.

    Justice Adepoju said PDP NWC cannot not hold valid primary election without recourse to the Ogun State chapter of the party or outright approval of the party until the judgment against it by Justice Buba has been set aside by a higher court.

    The judge held that Adebutu’s suit cannot be maintained to declare him a governorship candidate because the PDP NWC, which conducted the primary election that produced him, acted in violation of a judgment of a Federal High Court delivered by Justice Buba.

    Adepoju said she arrived at the conclusion because of the need ensure the protection of the sanctity of the court and its judgments by parties or individuals.

    She noted the PDP did not do well by disobeying the judgment of Justice Buba with the way it conducted its primary election in Ogun State last year.

    The judge said although Adebutu was able to establish the primary election that produced him was conducted by the appropriate organ of PDP, he was not entitled to be declared the candidate because of the circumstances that surrounded the conduct of the primary election in breach of a judgment that has not been set aside.

    The judge earlier dismissed the objection raised by Kashamu against the suit.

    The judge held that Adebutu has the option, in law, either to file the suit in Abeokuta, Ogun State or in Abuja as he did.

    Justice Buba had, in his judgment in 2016 ordered INEC and the PDP to recognize and accept, for purposes of the 2019 Nigeria General Elections, only candidates of the PDP in Ogun State that have been nominated through primaries endorsed or conducted by the Adebayo Dayo-led new officers of the PDP in Ogun State.

     

     

     

  • Kashamu to supporters: work with Adebutu’s group

    Senator Buruji Kashamu (Ogun East) has directed all his supporters and associates to work with members of the Lado group within the Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the overall interest of the party.

    The Lado group is led by a member of the House of Representatives, Honourable Ladi Adebutu, who has been locked in a supremacy battle with Kashamu over control of the state party structure and the Ogun State PDP governorship ticket.

    In a statement on Thursday in Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State, Kashamu said it was better for the contending groups to work and win together – in the overall interest of the party.

    According to him: “It is true we are in court. But, we are hopeful that the issues will be resolved sooner than later.

    “However, in the overall interest of the party, it is better and wiser for us to work together as members of the same family pending the resolution of the issues in court.

    “We may have had our disagreements and issues and have submitted them to the court for adjudication; yet, we have been talking to one another.

    “We reckon that whichever way it goes, the court cannot bring about genuine reconciliation and peace.

    “So, we have resolved to be agents of peace and reconciliation. Let us put aside our ego, prejudices and personal interests, and work together for the Party – in the hope that whoever carries the day will work for the Party, its members and the generality of the people.

    Read Also: Elections: Adebutu, Kashamu PDP factions hold unification rally

    “It is in the light of the foregoing that I wish to formally and publicly urge all my leaders, elders and supporters to work with the Lado group within the Ogun State chapter of the PDP ahead of February 16 and March 2, 2019 elections.

    “Irrespective of our differences, we are members of the same family. At the end, it is the party that wins; not any individual or group.”

    Kashamu urged the ongoing unity meetings and rallies between the two groups within the Ogun State PDP be intensified in the 236 wards, 20 local governments and three senatorial districts of the state.

    These, he said, will be capped with a “Mega Unity Rally” to be held on a date and venue to be announced soon.