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Tag: Olagunsoye Oyinlola

  • Oyinlola Committee meets Edo APC aspirants

    Oyinlola Committee meets Edo APC aspirants

    Members of the fact-finding and reconciliation committee of the All Progressives Congress for Edo State Thursday evening met with all governorship aspirants of party in the state.

    The committee led by former Osun State Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, arrived the state party secretariat at about 5pm.

    Aspirants that had earlier left after waiting for several hours quickly returned.

    An aide to Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi protested to the secretariat that his boss was not aware of the meeting but was told that the meeting was yet to commence.

    The meeting commenced at about 6pm and is still ongoing as at press time.

  • Oyinlola seeks reappraisal of Nigeria’s security

    Oyinlola seeks reappraisal of Nigeria’s security

    Former Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola has said the Friday multiple bomb blasts at the Kano Central Mosque was an embarrassment to governance in Nigeria.

    Oyinlola, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, called for an reappraisal of the nation’s security architecture in handling the Boko Haram insurgency.

    Oyinlola was in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, as the chairman of the APC Aspirants’ Screening Committee for the Northcentral.

    He said: “I want to say that the action of the insurgents on the Friday Kano bomb blasts is callous, inhuman and most embarrassing to governance.

    “If my experience as a retired military man is anything to go by, my suggestion would have been a total reappraisal of the way we are handling the insurgency. What we have applied so far seems not to be working. And if that is not working, we must do something differently to get a different result.”

    The former military administrator of Lagos State said strident criticisms of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration by former President Olusegun Obasanjo were not misplaced.

    He said: “If you asked me too, I would tell you that this is not the kind of administration we deserve. Our people are killed daily all over and you say that is the best government. I want to say and declare that this is not what Nigerians bargained for.

    “It is not a matter of former President Obasanjo being critical of Jonathan’s administration; it has never been this bad in the history of governance. Yet, some people are jumping over one another that President Jonathan’s administration is the best thing that has ever happened to Nigeria. I don’t think Nigerians are fools.”

     

  • Oyinlola’s momentous defection

    Oyinlola’s momentous defection

    IT is hard to imagine former Osun State governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, in the garb of a progressive. But here we are today; the former PDP chieftain and former army general is not only basking in the progressive camp, even his considerable soapbox talent and princely appurtenances were brought to bear in last week’s All Progressives Congress (APC) mega rally in Osun. The former governor’s high-profile conversion follows that of another high-profile defection by former Ekiti State governor, Segun Oni, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC. Both are now prophets in the progressive fold dazzling the PDP with their theological sorcery. The crossing of carpets between political parties is now so fluid that it makes little sense to ever abuse any politician again. Yesterday’s implacable enemy could be today’s fanatical friend.

    The PDP, however, left the former Osun governor with little or no choice. Under a rampaging President Goodluck Jonathan, the PDP sees Gen Oyinlola as worrisomely too close to former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Chief Obasanjo is probably the most hated person in the Jonathan camp today. Yet, the former president was responsible for the emergence of the president both as Governor of Bayelsa and later as vice president, and then to a large extent as president in his own right in 2011. And because he has built a reputation for opportunistic embrace of principles and values, and has acquired the uncanny ability to identify with the general yearnings of the people even if such yearnings contradict his private and public principles and avowals, Chief Obasanjo gives President Jonathan the jitters. However, in his short-sighted quest to master the PDP completely and brook no opposition, President Jonathan is determined to compel total and grovelling obedience to his whims while at the same time ostracising dissenters.

    Conversely, the APC has welcomed everyone with a notable political name into its fold. Does the party have a choice? Are they guilty of contemptible expediency? Should they not stick to the puritanism political theoreticians ascribe to the progressive party, one that involves denouncing opportunistic defections and repudiating the proponents of such defections? I think it is unrealistic to expect APC to be too finicky about whom to associate with. Considering the country-wide paucity of principled and ideological politicians, were APC to be as fussy as the idealistic analyst wishes, the party would find precious few soldiers to fight the major war it is engaged in with the PDP, a war obviously not of its choosing, nor of its timing and terrain.

    There is of course nothing that says all defectors will stay with the party for ever, as former Borno State governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, and the truculent and self-serving Femi Fani-Kayode have shown. But neither the speciousness of Alhaji Sheriff nor the uncouthness of Mr Fani-Kayode should be compared with the sturdiness and suave opportunism of both Mr Oni and Gen Oyinlola. Given the overwhelming manner the Southwest is inundated with political and cultural heresies by its leading lights, many of whom like Ebenezer Babatope, Ayo Adebanjo, Olu Falae and Yinka Odumakin can no longer recognise national or regional ideological divide, the APC needs as many defectors as it can get, without flinching, squirming or remorse.

  • Why Osun should not vote PDP, by Oyinlola

    Why Osun should not vote PDP, by Oyinlola

    Before a roaring crowd of All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters, former Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola sealed yesterday his renunciation of the People Democratic Party (PDP), which he urged the people to reject at the poll on Saturday.

    Oyinlola, now of the APC, was all smiles as he danced and sang at the party’s rally ahead of the governorship election.

    He said the electorate should not vote PDP’s candidate Iyiola Omisore.

    Clad in complete All Progressives Congress (APC) customised agbada at the party’s mega rally at Osogbo Township Stadium, the former governor said there was no project the ruling party at the federal level has executed in Osun to deserve the people’s vote.

    While formally leaving his former party to join the APC alongside his numerous supporters, the former PDP national secretary also threw jibes at President Goodluck Jonathan for marginalising the Southwest in the sharing of plum political offices after the zone had helped him win the presidency in 2011. Jonathan won five out of six states (except Osun) in the zone in the last presidential poll.

    In a speech brimming with anecdotes, Oyinlola, an Okuku prince, swore with sanctity of the royal crown to further authenticate his claims, as he tasked would-be voters to cast their votes wisely.

    “Is there any Yoruba among those currently holding the highest offices of the federal government?” he asked, adding that the office of the chief of staff to the President is the highest occupied by a South-westerner.

    Oyinlola recalled that his travails with the PDP and Jonathan began when, in 2011, he was invited by Mr. President who then indicated interest to run in 2011. He said he told President Jonathan that the right person to approach was former President Olusegun Obasanjo, adding that both leaders later agreed, worked together and achieved victory. However, after the election, Oyinlola said, Jonathan started baring his fangs, maltreating the former president. The Ogun State PDP executive was unilaterally dissolved and the party’s structure in the Southwest was disrupted.

    He alleged that the President desecrated the constitution of the PDP, having now built the party in his own image.

    After tracing how the Presidency has rewarded the zone’s goodness with ingratitude by systematically sidelining the Southwest in the scheme of things, Oyinlola, amidst rousing applause from the mammoth crowd that graced the rally, also spoke about character flaws of Omisore, who is the main challenger to APC’s Governor Rauf Aregbesola, saying people of shady antecedents should not be entrusted with the leadership of the state. Linking the self-conceited nature of Omisore to the defection of key PDP stalwarts, the retired soldier made a veiled reference to the killing of Chief Bola Ige, former Attorney General and Minister of Justice. He said it was unfortunate that the presidency is now recruiting all the characters allegedly connected with the murder of the former chief law officer of the country into leadership positions.

    “In Osun State, the PDP can’t be voted for because its governorship candidate is selfish. He only thinks of himself alone. He ensured  Prof.  Wale Oladipo, his kinsmen, became the PDP national secretary, Jelili Adesiyan as Police Affairs Minister,  Gani Ola-Oluwa, as the party’s state chairman and working Senate for Kunle Alao. All these people were in prison custody with him. For his selfishness, Isiaka Adeleke, Fatai Adeleke, and now myself left the PDP,” Oyinlola said.

    He enjoined the people to vote for Aregbesola becuase of his sterling performance and his passion to do a lot more for the people.

    The former governor praised Aregbesola’s intervention in education, especially the policy that seeks to decentralise the state-owned Osun State University, saying this would further cement the spirit of togetherness in the state.

  • Oyinlola dumps PDP for APC

    Oyinlola dumps PDP for APC

    •‘Security crackdown on our members’

    A crackdown on the All Progressives Congress (APC) started yesterday with the arrest of its leader in Osun State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, the party has alleged.

    It said the People Democratic Party (PDP)-led Federal Government, which vowed to militarise the state has started acting out its plan.

    Also yesterday, it was learnt that former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola would defect to the APC from the PDP today at a mega rally in Osogbo, the state capital.

    Prince Oyinlola wrote last week to President Goodluck Jonathan about his plan to “think seriously about my political journey and take firm decision”.

    “I’m not wanted  by the National Leader (President Goodluck Jonathan) of the party (PDP),” he wrote, adding that he was eased out of the PDP national secretary’s seat, despite a court order that he remained the party’s national secretary.

    The APC said: “Hon. Yemi Oke, a leader of APC in Obokun Local Government, was arrested by ‘Special Forces’ from Abuja, led by local PDP leaders at about 2.30 am today (yesterday).

    “The ‘Special Forces’ had earlier in the night visited his Ilare-Ijesa home to arrest him but he was not found.

    “The PDP leaders then led the Special Forces to his Osogbo residence where he was picked up and hounded into detention.

    At the release of this statement, the fate of Hon. Oke remains unknown while no security agency has explained the reason for his arrest and detention.”

    In another statement, party spokesman Kunle Oyatomi alleged that security forces had started a planned lock-down of Osogbo, to prevent crowds of supporters from attending the APC’s rally slated for today.

    “Road blocks and checkpoints have been mounted on all roads leading to Osogbo from within and outside the state, causing traffic bottlenecks and logjams. This will also increase in intensity between today and tomorrow,” he said.

    It was gathered yesterday that Oyinlola would defect to the APC with his supporters.

    Sources said the former governor made wide consultations among his political supporters across the state before taking the decision to join the APC.

    Oyinlola and some of his political associates took the decision to dump the PDP last Saturday at a marathon meeting reportedly held at his Okuku country home in Odo-Otin Local Government Area.

    It was said that Oyinlola found it very difficult to take the decision because of pressure from  some bigwigs from both the PDP and the APC.

    Some of the chieftains of the APC expected at today’s mega rally include: National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, former Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and other political big wigs.

    “He (Oyinlola) declined the proposal to quit the PDP because he was hoping his matter would be revisited by the leadership of the party. He so much believed that his reinstatement as the National Secretary would be effected as ordered by the court of law.

    Some of Oyinlola’s associates including a former PDP secretary Chief Yinka Adeojo,  former Osogbo Local Government Chairman Teslim Igbalaye and others joined the APC at arally in Ilesa about three weeks ago.

     

  • Oyinlola writes Jonathan, offers to quit PDP

    Oyinlola writes Jonathan, offers to quit PDP

    • Says “I am not wanted by the National Leader (Jonathan) of the party.”
    • Enumerates how President ‘frustrated my return’

    Former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and his party, Peoples Democratic |Party (PDP), are about parting ways…for good.

    The retired general believes President Goodluck Jonathan does not want him in the party even after going the extra mile to prove his loyalty.

    Oyinlola in a July 30, 2014 letter to the President said he would not be doing himself any good “if I don’t think seriously about my political journey and take a firm decision.”

    The former PDP National Secretary enumerated the various efforts he and others including his friend and former colleague in the army, Senate President David Mark, made to reconcile with the party and said: “I may, at this point, need to look beyond the party and take my destiny in my hands.”

    The letter, 00/PDP/5, reads in part: “Your Excellency, you are very conversant of all efforts made by me and very importantly, by respected leaders of the party to get this matter resolved and truly reconcile all aggrieved parties.

    “I, however, learnt that you were not sure of my support for you, given my closeness to former President Olusegun Obasanjo hence the decision to disallow me from returning to my legally recognized position as the National secretary of the PDP.

    “I have met you on several occasions on this matter to pledge my loyalty. At my last meeting with you, which was at the instance of the party’s National chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, you requested that I be part of the ongoing Osun State governorship campaigns. Mr. President would remember that I stated that the minimum the party leadership could do to get me to campaign was to instruct the Ogun State chapter of the party to withdraw its appeal at the Supreme Court; or alternatively, obey the Appeal Court order, and allow me to resume duty, the same way the party obeyed the faulty Federal High Court verdict that ousted me.

    “To the foregoing, I wish to state that I was promised some positive response which never came, up till this moment. The Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih CFR, has also on several occasions, after discussing me, met with Your Excellency on this matter assuring you of my loyalty to you and to the cause of the party.

    “I am also aware that the Senate President, Senator David Mark, GCON, has similarly met with you and made a case for my return to office. Senator Mark went to the extent of asking you to hold him responsible for all actions I might take as National Secretary.

    “Mr. President, allow me to state with emphasis that what joins Senator Mark and my humble-self is more than politics.  The military family that binds us does not know double-dealing or disloyalty. A part of our training, we keep our words, hence we are called “Gentlemen Officers.” That precisely was why the Senate President could most frontally vouch for me.

    “Your Excellency, allow me to also recall that on three occasions, Senator Mark informed that I had agreed to submit to you a pre-signed resignation letter, if that would allay all fears of insincerity; and all, in a bid to ensure that the injustice of my illegal removal from office is redressed.

    “I wish to respectfully state that I do not go back on my words, just like I don’t abandon my friends, associates and leaders, no matter how hard the situation might be.

    “That explains why as a State Governor, I remained very loyal to my boss, former President Ibrahim Babangida, GCFR, even when he had some issues with the government of former President  Olusegun Obasanjo, I wish to respectfully recall very respectfully, that Chief Obasanjo never made any attempt to move against me on account of these differences.

    “The same spirit today drives me as I maintain my loyalty to former President Obasanjo, who may, or who may not have any relationship with your government. It was that same spirit that made me insist on your approval of my candidature, in your capacity as national leader of the party and president, before I agreed with my brother-governors request in 2012, to contest for the position of PDP National Secretary. I should like to state that I am not a fair-weather fellow. To my friends, the spirit is very similar to marital vow.”

    Oyinlola said it was unfortunate that President Jonathan was unprepared to listen to entreaties by party leaders on his behalf.

    He added: “Mr. President, I wish to observe that with all these efforts by me  and other credible leaders of our party, it appears clearly to me that you are not totally convinced that I am who I have always been in my journey through life.

    “I have, therefore, come to the conclusion that it is this mindset that is at the root of my challenges in PDP. It seems to me that I am not wanted by the national leader of the party; and I know that.

    “Therefore, I will certainly not be doing myself justice and good, despite everything, if I don’t think seriously about my political journey and take a firm decision.

    “Mr. President, I may at this point, need to look beyond the party and take my destiny in my hands. I sincerely hope that this will solve the problem.

    “Conclusively, Your Excellency, if I am doing the above and take further steps without telling you, I would be negating the pledge of loyalty which I had earlier made to you; hence this correspondence to Mr. President.”

     

  • Oyinlola: why I can’t join PDP campaign train now

    Oyinlola: why I can’t join PDP campaign train now

    •Asks George to speak on PDP Caucus meeting

    THE Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) suspended National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has said he cannot join the party’s governorship campaign train since his alleged suspension has not been lifted.

    Oyinlola also asked a former Deputy National Chairman of PDP, Chief Olabode George, to speak on what the South-West PDP leaders discussed recently at his Abuja residence on the party’s National Secretary’s office.

    The former Osun State governor, who made the clarification in a statement yesterday, said the alleged endorsement of Prof. Wale Oladipo as the Southwest’s candidate for the office was contemptuous of the court.

    The statement said: “The party said I am on suspension and a suspended member of any organisation cannot be expected at the same time to be part of its activities.

    “Those who went to the Supreme Court should withdraw their appeal against the Court of Appeal decision which reinstated me as the party’s National Secretary.  I call on the party to obey that verdict of the court on the post.”

    Oyinlola warned against sub judicial comments on the issue by some persons who claimed to have been part of the Southwest PDP leaders’ meeting.

    He said: “I have been reading some funny, sub judicial comments from some comical fellows purporting endorsement, at that meeting, of someone for a post that is subject of a case at the Supreme Court.”

     

    “One does not need to be a lawyer to know that it is not only futile, but contemptuous of our courts for a group of people to be making moves to overreach and undermine the justice system.

    “I am quite aware, through my sources at that meeting, that claims of endorsement of any pretender by the Southwest are false as no decision of such was reached.”

    The former governor urged a former Deputy National Chairman of PDP, Chief Olabode George, to tell Nigerians the outcome of a recent meeting of South-West PDP leaders in his residence in Abuja.

  • Crisis: INEC opposes PDP’s suit to force it to recognize Oyinlola’s successor

    Crisis: INEC opposes PDP’s suit to force it to recognize Oyinlola’s successor

    The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC) has raised preliminary objection to a matter before the Federal High Court in Lagos seeking it to recognise and work with Prof. Wale Oladipo as the National Secretary of the PDP until 2016.

    The electoral agency is also opposed to a request from the court by some PDP leaders to delete Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola’s name from its records as the National Secretary of the party.

    It said it would only honour a valid court order on who should be recognised as the National Secretary of the party instead of PDP forcing it to recognize anyone.

    The commission said it had conveyed its decision to the PDP at a recent meeting on who should be recognised as the National Secretary .

    It queried the basis for the suit by some PDP leaders.

    The matter was filed by some leaders of the PDP in the Southwest to stop Oyinlola from returning to office.

    The plaintiffs in the suit are Chief Adebayo Dayo; Alhaji Olayinka Taiwo; Alhaji Gani Olaoluwa; Chief Ebenezer Alabi; Dr. Tope Aluko; and Chief Taiwo Kuye.

    The electoral commission however said the “subject matter bothers on intra-party dispute which the court does not have the jurisdiction to adjudicate upon.”

    In a 12-paragrapoh affidavit deposed to by its Legal Officer, Vilba Kintai on June 16,  INEC said it should be left out of internal dispute of PDP.

    The affidavit reads: “That the statutory duty of the 1st defendant (INEC) is to monitor and keep records of the activities of political parties in Nigeria and ensuring their compliance with the provisions of the Constitution and the Electoral Act.

    “That the subject matter of the plaintiffs’ suit bothers on internal dispute within the 2nd defendant over the appointment of a National Officer (Secretary) of the 2nd defendant.

    “That the statutory responsibility of INEC (1st Defendant) does not include settlement or resolution of internal squabbles or leadership tussles within a political party.

    “That it is the duty of PDP (2nd defendant) to appoint its national officers and INEC only keeps records of same.

    “That it is not the responsibility of INEC to pick or choose who to recognize as national Officer of a political party.

    “That INEC has been served with several suits and court processes with respect to the issue of National Secretary of PDP.

    “At a recent meeting between INEC and PDP, the electoral commission advised PDP to forward to it any court order declaring anyone as its National Secretary.”

    The defendants are the Independent National Electoral Commission (1st defendant); the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Oyinlola.

    They raised two issues for determination. These are:

    Whether by the combined effect of Section 223 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria(as amended) and Section 86 of the Electoral Act 2010(as amended), the 1st defendant is not obliged to accord recognition to Oladipo, who was nominated by the Southwest Caretaker Committee of the PDP at the Special Extra-Ordinary Congress of the South-West zone held on the 4th of January 2014 to fill the vacancy in the position of National Secretary of the party occurring by reason of the suspension and subsequent expulsion of Oyinlola, the erstwhile National Secretary, from the party sometime in November 2013.

    If the answer to question one is in the affirmative, then whether the first defendant is not obliged to amend its records in relation to the PDP (the 2nd defendant herein) to reflect the name of Prof. Wale Oladipo as the National Secretary of the party.

    The plaintiffs sought the following reliefs:

    “A declaration that by the combined effect of Section 223 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria1999(as amended) and Section 86 of the Electoral Act 2010(as amended), the 1st defendant is  obliged to accord recognition to Prof. Wale Oladipo who was nominated by the South-West Caretaker Committee of the PDP at the Special Extra-Ordinary Congress of the South-West zone held on the 4th of January 2014 to fill the vacancy in the position of National Secretary of the party occurring by reason of the decamping, suspension and subsequent expulsion of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, the erstwhile National Secretary, from the party sometime in November 2013.

    “An order directing the 2nd defendant to ratify the appointment of Prof. Wale Oladipo as the National Secretary of the 2nd defendant within seven days of the judgment of this court

    “An order directing the 1st defendant to recognize and deal only with Prof. Wale Oladipo as the National Secretary of the PDP until 2016 when a new National Convention of the PDP may be convened to elect a successor to Prof. Wale Oladipo for the office of National Secretary.

    “An order restraining the 1st and 2nd defendants(INEC and PDP) from dealing with or according any recognition whatsoever to any person(s) as the National Secretary of PDP except Prof. Wale Oladipo until 2016 when a fresh National Convention could be held for the purpose of electing a new National Secretary for the PDP.

     

     

  • ‘Court will determine Oyinlola’s fate’

    ‘Court will determine Oyinlola’s fate’

    Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Chief Bayo Dayo spoke on former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s   actitivies in the chapter, the rift between Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and the national leadership, the postponed  Southwest Congress and preparation for next year’s elections. Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN met him.

    Are you reaching out to former President Olusegun Obasanjo  for reconciliation, since he said he had forgiven those that offended him?

    We don’t have personal issues with him. He is the leader of our party and the country. In politics, especially in a large family like Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), we are bound to have differences. No one will ever tell an elderly man that he was wrong. In Yoruba tradition, it is the youth that seek forgiveness from the elders. Whether we are right or wrong, we are begging our father, Chief Obasanjo, to forgive and forget. Any day we meet him, we shall bow for him as a mark of respect.

    As regards opening a line of communication with him, that is beyond our level. We are too junior to him. That is meant for the party’s top hierarchy. Being a former President, it is the party leadership at the national level that will deal with him, not state party officials like me. The gap between us and Baba Obasanjo is very wide. We are too junior to him.

    It was reported that the party leadership is making moves to reinstate Olagunsoye Oyinlola as the national scribe. Is Ogun chapter in support?

    I am not aware of that development. I know that our leaders would always follow due process. The case is still pending at the Supreme Court. Until the apex court gives judgment, we will not make comment. It will amount to subjudice to make comments on a matter pending in the court. I think we should exercise patience.

    Why has Ogun State PDP taken special interest in Oyinlola’s issue?

    Everything about the PDP started in Ogun State. We don’t want imposition in Ogun State. We believe in party discipline. We stand for internal democracy in our party. The new National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, is a man of principle. He has respect for the rule of law. He doesn’t believe in imposition, but due process.

    Are you aware that all actions taken by the incumbent National Secretary would be declared illegal, if your appeal at the Supreme Court fails?

    Let me tell you, Oyinlola doesn’t belong to the PDP anymore. He cannot claim to be a member of our great party. Remember that Oyinlola, along with his cohorts, walked out on the national convention of the party last year. He has been suspended for anti-party activities. You can’t build something on nothing. He was the secretary of what they called the new PDP, which doesn’t exist anymore. All his co-travellers have gone to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Oyinlola has left the PDP. I don’t know where he belongs.

    Concerned members of the PDP in Ogun State have written a petition to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) challenging your leadership. What’s your comment?

    I am not aware of any petition. We don’t have factions in Ogun PDP, but groups. For instance, I’m a member of Jubril Martins Kuye (JMK) group. People are fond of writing meaningless petitions. This executive I’m heading was validated by the court. If they are not satisfied with the judgment, they should appeal. They are crying over something that is not within their reach. I can assure you that no group has challenged the authority of the present executive of the PDP in Ogun State. Only selfish members that are looking for short cut to reach their destination are creating the impression that there is crisis in the party.

    Is it true that there is a working accord between the PDP and the Labour Party, ahead of 2015?

    I am not aware of any working accord. All I know is that members of Labour Party have been crossing over to the PDP in recent times. Ogun State PDP door is wide open to everybody, including Otunba Gbenga Daniel and his Labour Party members. People don’t understand that Gbenga Daniel did a lot for the PDP. He left the party in annoyance. The way out is to appeal to him with a view to bringing him back into the fold. That we have been doing for a very long time now. We are ready to beg others who have defected to return to ensure the PDP remains a strong and a formidable party. I prefer working for my enemy within the party, if I know he will help us win election, rather than a close friend that has no electoral value. The door is open to all groups that want to join the PDP. If Daniel wants to come back, he’s welcome.

    Which of the senatorial zones is likely to produce the party’s governorship candidate for 2015?

    We have tried zoning many times in the PDP, but it has failed us. When it is zoned to a particular area, aspirants from other senatorial zones have always kicked against it. Then, you spend valuable time that should be spent on the field on reconciliation. The governorship ticket is open to the three senatorial districts, even though some people are in favour of a particular zone.

    Will the candidate emerge through primaries or through consensus?

    We shall create a level playing ground for all aspirants. Where the consensus option fails, we shall go for the primaries. Even, if only one aspirant disagrees with the consensus arrangement, we will have no other choice but to hold primaries. The executive does not have a particular person in mind. I want to do something that I can defend before my Creator. I can assure you that we shall conduct free, fair and transparent primaries when the time comes.

    Are you worried that the Southwest Congress of PDP is yet to hold?

    It is most unfortunate that we don’t have the  Southwest executive in place. However, we’ve got an assurance from the National Chairman that the Southwest congress will hold before the party’s mini-convention holding before the end of May.

    What’s your assessment of the on-going National Conference?

    I think we should give the National Conference a chance. The conference has just approved chairmen and members of various committees and has settled down for serious business.  Now that the conference has dissolved into committees, far reaching decisions on issues that have defied solutions over the years are bound to be made. It is a good thing that Nigerians of different ethnic nationalities are coming together to discuss the problems of the country and find solutions to them. I am very optimistic that Nigeria will benefit immensely from the report of the National Conference. President Goodluck Jonathan meant well in constituting the conference.

    What are the chances of the PDP in Ogun State in 2015?

    The PDP is the party to beat in Ogun State. It is the only party that is functional in the state. Members of the opposition parties are decamping to the PDP on weekly basis. While other parties are engrossed in internal crisis and parallel congresses, we are consolidating. I do not have any doubt in my mind that the PDP is progressing, waxing stronger and making gains. I am sure the party will, by the grace of God, win the 2015 general elections.

     

     

     

     

  • Aregbesola visits Oyinlola for Easter

    Aregbesola visits Oyinlola for Easter

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola visited his predecessor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, at his Okuku country home on Monday for the Easter celebration.

    It was gathered that the governor arrived at Oyinlola’s home around 9:30pm and left a few minutes past 10pm.

    What they discussed behind doors was unknown, but sources said it might not be unconnected with the August 9 governorship poll.

    After the meeting, Aregbesola took photographs with Oyinlola and his wife, Omowumi.

    It was gathered that the Senator representing Osun Central District, Prof. Sola Adeyeye, accompanied by his wife, attended the Easter party at Oyinlola’s home around 2pm.

    Former Governor Isiaka Adeleke and Mr. Wole Oke were also in attendance.

    Speaking on the visit, Oyinlola said it was a tradition in the state for the governor to visit his predecessor during festive periods.

    He said: “When I was in office, I used to visit former Governor Bisi Akande in his home, so there is nothing strange about Governor Aregbesola’s visit.”