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Tag: Kashamu

  • Kashamu wins PDP Senate ticket

    THE Chairman, Organising and Mobilisation Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Buruji Kashamu, emerged yesterday winner of the party’s Senate tickets for Ogun East.

    In Ijebu Ode, venue of the PDP Senate primaries,  Kashamu contested against two other aspirants, Taiwo Akintan and Dayo Oriola, after former Governor Gbenga Daniel withdrew from the race.

    Kashamu polled 365 votes to clinch the ticket,  Oriola got four votes while Akintan scored zero vote.

    But the primary for Ogun Central was described as inclusive yesterday, following alleged violence at the election venue. Wife of Chief Edwin Clark, Bisola Sodipo-Clark,  is contesting against Lanre Laoshe.

  • I’ve not been indicted, says Kashamu

    I’ve not been indicted, says Kashamu

    Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mobilisation Committee in the Southwest Mr. Buruji Kashamu, has denied being indicted in the United States.

    In a statement last night, he said: “My attention has been drawn to yet another diatribe against my person by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in what was supposed to be his response to the pleas made to him to come back to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    “His statement is yet another cocktail of lies served with his legendary deceit.”

    He said he was displeased at my allegedly being made the leader of the party in the South West. First, it should be noted that as against his earlier assertion that I am “a wanted habitual criminal…for whom extradition has been requested by the US Government…”, he has now described me “as an indicted drug baron wanted in America”.

    “ He used me to prosecute his battle against former Governor Gbenga Daniel. When it was time to field candidates for the 2011 general elections, he brought his stooge, Gen. Adetunji Olurin, and asked me to roll the party structure behind his anointed candidate.

    “In his usual holier-than-thou manner, he talked about not being able to work with me because of his principles, honour and integrity. But the questions Nigerians should ask him are: where were his principles when he used to take me into the inner recesses of his abode? Where was his honour when he served me breakfast, lunch and dinner in his Hilltop mansion? Where was his integrity when he mounted the rostrum to sing my praises, praying for me as he did in May 2010 during a reception for the former Minister of Commerce and Industry, Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye?

    Despite his pretensions, the reason I have become the target of Obasanjo’s wicked campaign of calumny and blackmail is his perceived loss of political relevance in Ogun State and the South West. He is against the second term ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan and he had wanted to use the erstwhile National Secretary, Olagunsoye Oyinlola; the former National Auditor, Bode Mustapha and the ex-National Vice-Chairman, Segun Oni, to thwart Mr. President’s re-election. The almighty Allah Subhana wa tala used me to stand up to him and the rest is history.

    “Before his very eyes the PDP in the South West is on a rebound and we are winning elections.

    Now, on the issue of my so-called indictment in the United States, I wish to state for the umpteenth time that I am not wanted by anyone. Even if that were the case, there are processes and procedures to follow, and they are not subject to anyone’s whims and caprices, not even Obasanjo’s because no man is God.

    “I have never in stepped my feet into the U.S neither do I have any business there. I was wrongly accused, arrested, tried and freed over the same indictment. If after a full trial on the basis of the same indictment, the British courts exonerated me, which other indictment is Obasanjo talking about? What happens to the general principle of International Law on double-jeopardy?.”

  • Daniel is a political prostitute, says Kashamu

    Daniel is a political prostitute, says Kashamu

    Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain and Chairman of the party’s Organisation and Mobilisation Committee in the Southwest Prince Buruji Kashamu has described former Governor Gbenga Daniel as “someone suffering from an over dose of political prostitution”.

    He was reacting to a statement credited to Daniel yesterday in some national dailies, where the former governor described (Kashamu) as “suffering from political inexperience and over confidence”.

    In a statement yesterday by his Media Adviser, Mr Austin Oniyokor, Kashamu said: “Daniel is suffering from an overdose of political prostitution as a result of his serial defeat in the battle for the souls of the various parties he sought to ply his trade.

    “It is laughable that a renowned political prostitute like Daniel can refer to someone who has defeated him severally as inexperienced and over confident. What Daniel probably presumes to be his experience is how he uses party platforms to negotiate and feather his own nest, just like he did in 2011. The national leadership of our great party, the PDP, is wiser now and will not fall for such tricks anymore.

    “Perhaps he thinks we have forgotten that he jumped from the Alliance for Democracy (AD) to the PDP, PPN, LP, after the PDP made him all that he claims to be today.

    “Now, he has gone to LP, yet he says he wants to collaborate with us to chase away the All Progressives Congress (APC) government in Ogun State. We say “NO”. How can you collaborate with us to chase away the APC government when you are fielding candidates for the same offices, apart from the Presidency? This smacks of deceit and we will not fall for it. If you say you are the strongest party in Ogun State, we say let’s meet on the field. No need for any deceitful collaboration.

    “Only a few weeks ago, Senate President David Mark told the whole world that the PDP is not in any working arrangement with any party. We do not need any allied forces. PDP is PDP. LP is LP.

    “For the teeming members of Ogun PDP, Kashamu’s so-called political inexperience is good for them. It was the “political inexperience” that made him defeat Daniel in the struggle for the soul of the PDP in 2011 and beat his PPN to a distant third position in the polls.”

  • The recklessness of Buruji Kashamu

    Sometimes our politicians do not only lack decency, they also lack finesse. Hear what one of them, a prince, said in a recent interview in The Punch: “I’m ready to contribute resources for mobilisation but this is what many politicians don’t like doing. For example, I am ready to spend even N1billion to ensure the success of the PDP governorship candidate in Ekiti State during the forthcoming election. It would be a shame on my part if I failed to do that,” proclaimed Buruji Kashamu who parades himself as a PDP chieftain from Ogun State.

    As if the shamelessness was not enough, he ranted further, “I am ready to do the same thing in Osun and Oyo states.” This is a man who is clearly more interested in drawing attention to himself. He is from Ogun State, where he claims to be a party wheel horse. Why did he not even refer to the state? Is it because they won’t give him an opportunity to spend his money?

    For a man to say he gloats over the success he had in fighting former governor, Gbenga Daniel, to a standstill, one would have thought he would concentrate in his state. He probably has surrendered because he lives in Ogun State and has seen that he has no prayers against the good work of Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

    Maybe he has not travelled enough in Ekiti State to see what Governor Kayode Fayemi has transformed the state into. Maybe he will think twice about wasting his money.

    But he may be doing a world of good to the economy of that state by infusing N1billion into its economy, and Hardball is sure the people will receive his money with open arms. It is clear from what he says that he does not abide in the world of ideas. What is he fighting against in Ekiti? Is it the infrastructural developments that his PDP Segun Oni could not do in about six years? Or is it the quality enhancement of education, or is it healthcare or strides in tourism, or social security for the elderly?

    Kashamu does not speak ideas. He only speaks money, and the people of the Southwest know good money from bad money.

    Clearly he has not travelled to Osun State to see what Governor Rauf Aregbesola is doing, or Oyo to witness Ajimobi’s performance. If he has and he still wants to spend money against the good thing, then he will fall into what people in the Niger Delta call “money miss road.”

    In the interview he also had the indecency to say that he contributed 17 Sports Utility Vans (SUVs) and trailer loads of Ankara for Timipre Sylva, former Bayelsa State governor’s, election. He said the Ankara clothing materials were embossed with his picture and his deputy and he also gave Sylva “lots of cash.” He claimed later that Sylva gave him the IGR and that he transformed N200 million to N1billion monthly. So he is a contractor waiting to make profit for himself!

    This is recklessness on a high stage. We need restraint from our politicians, not the brutish extravagance, the type of public desperado like Kashamu wants to feed the public with.

     

  • Kashamu empowers PDP members

    A political group, the Omo-Ilu Foundation, has started distributing 500 vehicles, 1,000 motorcycles and 1,800 bags of rice, worth N800 million, to members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State.

    The Foundation spoke of plans to erect 33,000-litre capacity kerosene tanks in various locations to dispense the product at N50 per litre.

    Presenting some of the items to party supporters at a reunion rally at his Ijebu-Igbo country home yesterday, the leader of the Omo-Ilu Foundation, Prince Buruji Kashamu, said the gesture was aimed at empowering members to start their own businesses and strengthen existing private businesses.

    Kashamu said gone were the days when party supporters got such items for free, adding that the beneficiaries would have to meet certain conditions.

    He said: “Since its inception in 2009, the Omo-ilu Foundation has given out over 700 vehicles free-of-charge. However, because of the poor maintenance culture of some of our people and bad usage, we have decided to modify our operations, such that certain pocket-friendly conditions are now attached to such gestures.”

    “Towards this end, we have bought 500 vehicles for commercial use. The Foundation has also purchased 1,000 motorcycles, which will be given to PDP members across the state.”

    Kashamu said arrangement was being made to give loans to petty traders and artisans in the 236 wards, as well as buy working tools and equipment for artisans.

    He said: “Farmers will benefit from our agricultural scheme by providing them with seedlings, fertiliser and tractors for rent at a cheap rate, and also organise trainings for them to enhance their businesses.”

    Kashamu said the Foundation was collaborating with several organisations to train PDP members on how to make soap, beads, Adire, Aso-Oke, cake and air freshner, among others.

    He said: “We’ll empower them after the training with cash to start their businesses.”

    Kashamu said the Foundation would extend its scholarship scheme to students in private universities.

    The State Chairman of the party, Chief Adebayo Dayo, thanked the Foundation for taking the interest and well-being of party members seriously.

     

  • Kashamu slams Obasanjo for comments on Jonathan

    Kashamu slams Obasanjo for comments on Jonathan

    A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Prince Buruji Kashamu, yesterday faulted reports that there was tension in the party as a result of the “cold war” between President Goodluck Jonathan and former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    In a statement, Kashamu said it was misleading to accept the views of “probably one of Obasanjo’s stooges” in the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) as that of the entire party.

    He said: “From the tone of the statements made by the NWC member, who reportedly spoke on the condition of anonymity, it is obvious that the views expressed in the reports were from one of Obasanjo’s stooges planted in the NWC to achieve his selfish interest.

    “Otherwise, how come he put the blame for the exchanges between the President and Obasanjo solely on the President? Where was he when Obasanjo said the Umaru Yar’Adua/Jonathan administration could not fight corruption? Where was he when Obasanjo described Jonathan as weak in tackling the Boko Haram menace? Indeed, his second statement in that regard.

    “How come the PDP NWC member did not caution Obasanjo? All the talks about 2015 and Obasanjo’s closeness to the northern oligarchy and control of Southwest politics hold no water. It is all make-believe. The future will take care of itself. No man is God!”

    Kashamu debunked speculations that Obasanjo is influential in the North and Southwest.

    He described him as “an enemy of the North, who has betrayed them severally, just as he did to the Southwest”.

    Kashamo said: “If he were that popular as his allies would want to have us believe, how come the opposition Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has dictated the pace in Southwest politics in the last 13 years or so that Obasanjo has led the PDP in the zone?”

    He urged the former president’s acolytes to purge themselves of the “messianic toga” they confer on him, saying “the nation boasts of many educated and intelligent people that are more knowledgeable than Obasanjo”.

    Kashamu said: “It is noteworthy that of all the nation’s past leaders, like Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB) and Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, it is only Obasanjo that rushes to the media every now and then to run down the Jonathan administration in the same way he fights and scrambles for crumbs with those old enough to be his children back home in Ogun State. “In fact, if there was anyone doing anything inimical to the interest of the party at home and at the national level, it is Obasanjo.

    “Instead of calling his benefactor to order and advising him to exercise restraint, somebody is hiding under the condition of anonymity to flaunt Obasanjo’s credentials and alleged connections to blackmail the President. It has not worked in the past and will not work now.”

    The PDP chieftain urged Nigerians to learn from the United States, where President Barack Obama has “achieved a lot more by engaging in dialogue than going to war”.

    He said: “Jonathan is methodological in his approach as a scientist. What is more, he is the nation’s first leader with a Ph.D degree. He cannot be brash in his approach to issues as some would want to have him do. With patience and careful planning, we shall soon overcome our present challenges.”

     

  • Kashamu, Daniel, Mustapha to reposition Ogun PDP

    Kashamu, Daniel, Mustapha to reposition Ogun PDP

    A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Prince Buruji Kashamu, former Governor Gbenga Daniel, Senator Lekan Mustapha and Hon. Dave Salako have been assigned the task of charting a new course for the party in the state.

    They are to liaise with former Minister of Mines and Steel Development Chief Tunji Sarafa (Ogun Central) and others in Ogun West Senatorial District to reposition the party for the 2015 general elections.

    They were assigned the task on Sunday in Ijebu-Ode at a peace parley of the Ogun East PDP.

    Kashamu and Mustapha were at the meeting.

    A chieftain of the party, Chief Agboola Alausa, said it could only be victorious in 2015, if members are united.

    Alausa said internal squabbles were responsible for the party’s defeat in the 2011 governorship election.

    The factions of Kashamu, Alhaji Jubril Martins-Kuye and Daniel said they may not work with former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his group.

    They accused Obasanjo of cornering appointments and other benefits from Aso Rock for his Owu people.

    Former Ogun PDP Secretary Chief Adepeba Otemolu alleged that Obasanjo was grooming a member of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for the 2015 governorship election without considering the overall interest of the party.

    Otemolu said Obasanjo’s actions were undermining the party’s reconciliation efforts and could set the PDP back in 2015.

  • Ogun PDP: INEC recognises Kashamu’s faction

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recognised the Mr. Adedayo Bayo-led Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State.

    The Bayo-led Exco emerged from the congresses conducted by the Bashorun Dayo Soremi Harmonised State Executive Committee.

    It is loyal to businessman Prince Buruji Kashamu.

    INEC refused to recognise the Senator Dipo Odujirin-led Exco.

    The Odujirin-led exco was elected in a congress conducted recently by the PDP faction loyal to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, although the tenure of the Bayo-led exco had not elapsed.

    In a letter from the INEC Headquarters, Abuja, dated September 18, 2012 and signed by the Commission’s Secretary, Mr. Abdullahi Kaugama, INEC said the Bayo-led Exco is the authentic one.

    It reads: “You will recall that the Federal High Court, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/347/2012 and FHC/CS/535/2012, held that the congresses conducted by the Soremi Harmonised State Executive Committee and the Executive Committee that emerged therefrom are valid.

    “INEC, as a law abiding institution, has resolved to accept and relate with the said executive committee in obedience to the orders of the Federal High Court.”