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Tag: Osun PDP

  • When will peace return to Osun PDP?

    Peace has eluded the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State, following the election of a new chairman, Soji Adagunodo. A faction, led by Senator Iyiola Omisore, is threatening to pull out. Correspondent ADESOJI ADENIYI examines the effects of the crisis on the party as the governorship election draws near.

    There is no end in sight to the crisis rocking the  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State. The party became more divided, following its recent congress.

    Since 2015, the troubled chapter has been factionalised. The struggle for  the control of the platform by its gladiators has been counter-productive.

    The leadership battle at the national level between Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff and Senator Ahmed Markafi took its toll on the Osun chapter. Its dust is yet to settle. Peace has left the fold and members, who are practically stranded and have pitched their tents with two major groups, led by Soji Adagunodo and Bayo Faforiji, now lick their wounds. It is not  the best of time for the leaders, including  former deputy governor and former Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman, Senator Iyiola Omisore, former National Deputy Chairman Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun, former Deputy Governor Olusola Obada, former Minister of Youths Development Senator Olasunkanmi Akinlabi and former Speaker of the House of Assembly Adejare Bello.

    Last month ward and local government congresses exposed the division and irreconcilable differences in the party.

    Members of the faction loyal to Omisore boycotted the.exercise. They complained that the national leadership had taken sides with the other faction.

    At the congress, Soji Adagunodo emerged as chairman of the party. Omisore was  infuriated by the outcome of the intra-party election. Two weeks ago, members of the faction  dumped the party. Supporters of the Ile-Ife-born politician burnt the party flags and tore their membership cards at their factional party secretariat along Gbongan road to drive home their point.  Omisore was asked to apologise or face disciplinary action. He was also asked to retrace his steps. He has ignored the advice.

    One of the party leaders, who is the Coordinator of the group, Ex-PDP political office holders, Tajudeen Adeyemi, expressed dissatisfaction with the behaviour of Omisore’s supporters. He condemned the burning of the party flag. According to him, PDP would win the September 22 governorship election in the state without the participation of Omisore. He said: “The PDP belongs to the people and not any individual. You all must have realised that the PDP has been doing well since we left the secretariat at Ogo Oluwa.

    “I can assure you that the PDP is going to win the Osun governorship election this year with or without the participation of Senator Iyiola Omisore. But, we still leave a room for reconciliation. Whether he leaves the party or works with us, we will win the election.”

    The recent crisis has its root in the outcome of the 2014 poll where Omisore was the standard bearer of the party. The former deputy governor was accused of collecting a huge sum of money to prosecute the poll. But, according to his critics, Omisore could not account for the money. A committee set up to investigate him after the election allegedly discovered that he did not use the funds meant to provide logistics for the election judiciously. A source disclosed that “attempts to ask him questions about this led to so many unpalatable reactions from him.”

    With Omisore out of the way, the coast is clear for a new set of aspirants to try their luck.    They include include an Osogbo-born  Adeolu Durotoye, a professor of Political Science and Provost of Social and Management Sciences College, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, a journalist, Rasheed Olawale, who is  from Iwo, and Senator Segun Bamigbetan from Ile-Ife among others. Those who have shown interest in the past and likely to contest again include former candidate of the PDP in 2015 election for Boripe/OdoOtin/Ifelodun Federal Constiuency, Mr Kayode Oduoye, who is from Ikirun; Hon.  Bello, who hails from Ede, former Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC) in Osun Chief Lere Oyewumi, who is from Ikire; former Secretary to  Government Alhaji Fatai Akinbade from Ogbagba, former Minister of Youth Development  Senator Akinlabi from Gbongan, and a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Oluwole Oke, who is representing Obokun/Oriade Constituency.   According to observers, the PDP can bounce back, if it presents a good candidate for the election.

    The flag beraer must appeal to voters. He  must also fulfill the criterion of zoning.  how far this can be achieved depends largely on the electorate and vital factors like zoning.

    The general belief is that Osun West Senatorial District should produce the next governor. Many believe that Osun East and Central have produced the governors before.

    Also, the monumental and massive infrastructural development of the state and other programmes of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)  governmet of Rauf Aregbesola are the obstacles to the the PDP’s bid for the State House.

    Can the PDP spring a surprise? Can it put its house in order? Will the war of attriction not be its albatross? How will the party overcome the hurdles in Osun?

  • Our primary election’ll be free, fair – Osun PDP

    Our primary election’ll be free, fair – Osun PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State has said that it will soon roll out series of programmes to show its preparedness for the 2018 governorship poll in the state. Speaking at the interdenominational prayers for Osun State and the PDP at the party’s secretariat at Biket junction in Ota-Efun area of Osogbo, the party’s chairman in the state, Soji Adagunodo, disclosed that a meeting will be held next week to roll out the party’s plans.
    “We want the State Working Committee to start the journey of working for the victory of the PDP in the 2018 governorship election. We will soon call a stakeholders’ meeting next week, where we will roll out our plans for the party. We are also planning to set up committees and directorates, that will work with the state executive.
    “We are going to pick a gubernatorial candidate that would represents the PDP. We have some people, who have signified intention to contest. We can reach a consensus to pick one person but if that does not work, we will do a transparent primary election. We have not started selling forms, we only told them to apply in writing, which is free. We are waiting for the directive of the national secretariat of the PDP on when to sell forms to aspirants,” he said.
    According to Adagunodo, the PDP would give measures that will guaranty free, fair and credible primary election to select its standard bearer. Also, a stalwart of the party in the state, Chief Gbenga Owolabi, assured that the PDP would hold a crisis free and credible governorship primaries in 2018 for the gubernatorial poll.

  • Obasanjo’s conscience’ll trouble him – Osun PDP candidate

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Osun East senatorial district in Osun State, Prince Francis Fadahunsi, has said former President Olusegun Obasanjo left the PDP long before his ‘card tearing’ feat of last week. According to the PDP chieftain, the former will have his conscience to contend with as he goes into political retirement.

    Speaking with reporters at his private residence in Ilase, Obokun Local Government Area of the State, he said Obasanjo left the PDP when he resigned his membership of Board of Trustees. According to Fadahunsi, who is seeking to represent the people of Osun East senatorial district at the senate, the former president has never attended any meeting called by PDP since that time.

    He said: “Obasanjo left the PDP a long time ago. Since he left the BoT? some years back, he was no longer with us. I thank God for him, he would now rest. But it is unfortunate that he allowed himself to be abused by his constituency, the military. I congratulate Obasanjo because at about 80 years of age  he needs to rest. PDP will not worry him, APC will not worry him, it is only his conscience that will worry him now.”

    Speaking further on the allegation that he runs a detention cell in his house, the politician said: “They are complaining because they were the ones using boys to terrorize our people. These are same  boys the APC used to kill and maim people in Ilesa and its environs. The boys have now turned a new leaf. I only preached to the conscience of these boys.”

  • Osun PDP suspends six

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State has suspended six members for alleged anti- party activities.

    Taiwo Adebusola, aka Otte, Femi Oke, aka Akilapa, Adewusi Adebimpe, aka Iya Juwon, Bunmi Opabunmi, Dele Olowokere and Ayodeji Yussuf allegedly engaged in anti-party activities during the PDP’s House of Assembly primaries in Ile-Ife.

    The Chairman, Ganiyu Ola-Oluwa, said they would remain suspended until the outcome of the disciplinary committee.

    The chairman said the party leadership took the decision to suspend them after a meeting of the state working committee at the party secretariat in Osogbo.

    He said the party leadership acted in consonance with the recommendation of the Ife Central Local Government chapter.

  • Osun PDP aspirant rejects ward congress result

    Osun PDP aspirant rejects ward congress result

    With two days to the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) primary election in Osun State, a governorship aspirant, Mr. Oluwole Oke, has rejected the result of Wednesday’s ward congress.

    Oke, a former chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Defence, alleged that the state PDP Chairman, Alhaji Ganiyu Olaoluwa, manipulated the congress in favour of Senator Iyiola Omisore.

    In a statement by the Wole Oke Campaign Organisation (WOCO), the aspirant said the selection process for electoral and returning officers was not transparent, adding: “Electoral and returning officers were selected solely by Olaoluwa. Those selected were members of the Omisore Youth Solidarity Forum (OYSF) and Omisore Grand Mobilisers (OGM). The equitable thing to do would have been to allow local government party chairmen to nominate people to the state party secretariat.

    “Our proof of this allegation is rooted in the fact that as grass roots politicians, we know ourselves and we recognise the individuals involved. The electoral and returning officers did not report to the party chairmen in their local governments but to Omisore’s council coordinators, who simply filled the result sheets with prepared names.

    “In about 95 per cent of the local governments, agents of other aspirants reported that there was no voting but manipulation and falsification of results by Omisore’s thugs.

    “Representatives of other aspirants reported that the electoral and returning officers used photocopied result sheets instead of the originals required by the rules. This, they gave room for the manipulation and distortion of results. The state secretary, who was supposed to sign and vet results, remains suspended by Olaoluwa against an instruction from the National Working Committee (NWC) to reinstate him.

    “Considering the fact that the failure, success and credibility of the primary depends on the outcome of the ward congress, it is clear that the manipulation of Wednesday’s congress by Olaoluwa has skewed the primary in favour of an aspirant. The so-called congress was not transparent. It was unfair and not credible.”

    On Tuesday night, there was a clash between Omisore and Senator Isiaka Adeleke, a PDP aspirant.

    Investigations showed that Minister of Police Affairs Jelili Adesiyan, believed to be a staunch supporter of Omisore, allegedly ordered his escorts to search Adeleke’s aides at a hotel in Osogbo, where PDP aspirants assembled to meet a five-man electoral committee from Abuja to oversee tomorrow’s state congress and primary.

    It was gathered that around 11pm, Adesiyan allegedly ordered his escorts to seize the hand-sets and some items from Adeleke’s aides on the excuse that he suspected they were thugs.

    Adeleke, who was said to have arrived at the venue a few minutes later, was reportedly unhappy with the development.

    It was learnt he challenged Adesiyan and Omisore for undermining his aides and supporters, including Taiwo Akeju, former board member of the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC).

    Adeleke walked up to Omisore and Adesiyan, and was quoted as saying: “Was it you, Adesiyan, who instructed your men to beat up my aides?” and to Omisoro: “Is it because you made Adesiyan the minister that he is beating and arresting my aides.”

    At a point, Omisore and Adeleke’s supporters were said to have resorted to a free-for-all.”

    Commissioner of Police Ibraheem Maishanu said Adeleke reported the case to the police, adding that it would be investigated.

    Speaking yesterday at his Ede country home, Adeleke said he and his supporters were beaten up by Omisore and Adesiyan’s men.

    He said: “Adesiyan, Omisore and Sogo Agboola slapped and beat me up. Their supporters also beat up my security aides, protocol officers and driver.”

    Adeleke said one of his supporters, Taiwo Akeju, was almost stabbed.

    Head of Omisore’s media team Prince Diran Odeyemi accused Adeleke of bringing thugs to the venue of the meeting to attack Omisore and his associates.

    He said the assistance of security aides saved the day.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned Osogbo residents, especially its members and supporters, to stay away from the PDP secretariat on Gbongan road, where the party’s primary will hold tomorrow.

    In a statement by its Publicity Director, Kunle Oyatomi, APC said there were fears that the primary could turn violent.

    APC said: “A PDP aspirant has been reported as saying that any aspirant who stands in his path at the contest, would be dealt with. This threat among the contestants, coming 72 hours before the primary, is a clear indication that all will not be well at the PDP secretariat tomorrow. At least, it is now common knowledge that at a PDP meeting in Osogbo on Wednesday, Adeleke, a former governor, alleged he was beaten up by another aspirant, who is desperate to become governor.

    “If at that level, the PDP can exhibit such a mean behaviour, one can only imagine what might happen tomorrow at their primary. It will, therefore, be foolhardy for APC supporters or any peace-loving resident to venture anywhere near the PDP secretariat, because they could suffer fatal collateral damage.

    “Besides, the PDP could turn around to frame up any APC supporter seen around the PDP secretariat as the cause of its bloody primary. Therefore, anybody who makes himself a victim of the PDP’s violence by going anywhere close to the party’s secretariat would have himself or herself to blame.”

  • Osun PDP aspirant lists criteria for consensus option

    Osun PDP aspirant lists criteria for consensus option

    A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Osun State, Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi, has listed the criteria for emerging a consensus candidate.

    Olasunkanmi, who was at the Abuja National Secretariat yesterday to pick his nomination form, warned the party against adopting a controversial aspirant as a consensus candidate.

    The former Minister for Youth Development said a consensus candidate must be a financial member of the party and must not have any baggage in terms of educational qualifications.

    He said for a consensus candidate to emerge, all aspirants must agree on his/her choice, adding that the candidate must be a loyal party member, who will not defect to another party if he loses the ticket.

    Olasunkanmi said: “The consensus arrangement is not a wrong way of choosing a candidate, but there should be objective criteria for it.”

    He said he meets the criteria for a consensus candidate, stressing that he would not want to emerge a consensus candidate through the back door.

    Olasunkanmi said: “The beauty of democracy is popular participation, where the majorities have their way and the minorities are allowed to have a say. I am eminently qualified for the job.”

  • Crisis rocks Osun PDP over secretary’s suspension

    Crisis rocks Osun PDP over secretary’s suspension

    Crisis is brewing in the Osun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following the suspension of the Secretary, Maj. Raphael Towobola (rtd), by the Chairman, Alhaji Gani Olaoluwa.

    Party elders condemned the suspension and urged the National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, to intervene and visit the troubled chapter, ahead of its governorship primaries on April 5.

    There are fears that the crisis may affect preparations for the ward congresses for the selection of three delegates from each local government.

    The division at the party secretariat may affect other processes, including the setting up of a committee to screen aspirants.

    The aspirants are expected to obtain their nomination forms for N11 million in Abuja, on Friday.

    Rising from a meeting in Osogbo, the concerned elders said Towobola was suspended because he insisted on a free and fair primary.

    At the meeting, chaired by Senator Oluwole Alabi, the elders resolved to resolve the “crisis of confidence” between the chairman and secretary.

    A source said the national leadership has told Olaoluwa to explain the circumstances surrounding the suspension and reinstate Towobola within 24 hours.

    The source said: “The problem is between two kinsmen – Senator Iyiola Omisore and Towobola. Both are from Ile-Ife. Olaoluwa is an ally of Omisore and Towobola has not been supporting Omisore’s governorship ambition. That was the genesis of the crisis of confidence between the chairman and secretary.”

    Yesterday, the PDP chairmen in the local governments held a meeting with the Olaoluwa, urging him to reverse the suspension.

    A member of the PDP Local Government Chairmen Forum, who pleaded for anonymity, said if Towobola was not reinstated this week, the forum might pass a vote-of-no-confidence in the chairman.

    A governorship aspirant, Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi, condemned the suspension, describing it as “unconstitutional and illegal.” He said the act should not be allowed to stand, if other aspirants must have confidence in the process leading to the emergence of the party’s flag bearer.

    Besides Olasunkanmi, other aspirants include Omisore and Mr. Oluwole Oke. Two weeks ago, an aspirant, Mr. Fatai Akinbade, left for the Labour Party (LP).

    Former Governor Isiaka Adeleke is said to be eyeing the party’s ticket, but has not declared interest.

    Olasunkanmi, a former minister of Youth Development, said the timing of the suspension was suspect, adding: “The allegation of anti-party activities against him has not been proven.”

    In a petition to Muazu on February 27, the secretary alleged that the chairman was “functioning as a sole administrator.”

    He said: “He has alienated other functionaries in the State Working Committee to the detriment of the party and runs the administration alone. He collects correspondences from the national secretariat and keeps them to himself, the latest being the guidelines for the governorship primary, which he has refused to release.”

    Olaoluwa denied the allegation, saying he was a committed party leader and a democrat.

  • Osun PDP demands N5m from aspirants

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State has demanded N5 million non-refundable nomination fee from each of its governorship aspirants.

    In a statement by the Chairman, Alhaji Ganiyu Olaoluwa; and Secretary Maj. Raphael Tewogbola after its Executive Committee meeting, PDP said it would be strict with the payment of the nomination fee.

    The party zoned the governorship seat to Osun West and East senatorial districts.

    Four aspirants have shown interest in the election. They are former Secretary to the State Government Alhaji Fatai Akinbade; Senator Iyiola Omisore; Senator Olasunkanmi Akinlabi and Mr. Oluwole Oke, a former member of the House of Representatives.

     

  • Ex-Osun PDP chairman Rasaq dies

    Mr. Ademola Rasaq, former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State is dead.

    He was aged 53.

    The Publicity Secretary of the party in Osun, Mr. Bola Ajao, confirmed the death in a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the party secretariat in Osogbo.

    Ajao said “the former chairman died in the early hours of today (Thursday) in Ibadan as a result of heart conditions.

    “He developed heart complications at the break of dawn and was driven to University College Hospital, Ibadan, by Bayo “Ijebu” his driver.

    “It was at the UCH in Ibadan that he was confirmed dead.’’

    The publicity secretary said “we have lost a true leader, a grassroots politician who was ready to carry everybody along.’’

    “The party has dispatched vehicles to Ibadan to convey the corpse of the late politician to Osun.

    “We are discussing with the family to fine tune where to bury him immediately and other issues, as he is a Muslim.’’

    NAN reports that workers at the PDP Secretariat in Osogbo were seen in groups discussing the incident, while some were weeping.