The race to decide who will be the governorship candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party{PDP} has led to tension and discord among members of the Ogun West Elders Forum, hitherto an apolitical group established to ensure the emergence of a politician from the zone as the next governor of the state.

The faceoff between the leaders was brought into public glare at the weekend in Abeokuta, as different factions, at separate press conferences, tackled each other over candidates of their choice.

The two aspirants at the centre of the hullabaloo are a former military governor, Tunji Olurin, and Gboyega Isiaka, former managing director, Gateway Holdings. Mr. Olurin is said to be the candidate of former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, while Mr. Isiaka is said to be the choice of the state governor, Gbenga Daniel.

Messrs Obasanjo and Daniel are opposed to each other politically, hence the issue of succession has became a power play between the duo.

A faction of the Elders Consultative Forum, headed by Ishola Olateju, held a press conference to declare their backing for Olurin, whom they claimed has the credentials to represent the zone at the governorship election.

But reacting to the position of the Olateju-led group, another factional leader, Olawale Bankole, declared that the authentic choice of the zone is Mr. Isiaka, whom he said they have agreed to pitch their tent with.

Mr. Bankole said the endorsement of Olurin by the other group, “is a calculated attempt to mislead and deceive the people of Ogun West.”

“We, therefore, call on the good people of Ogun west and Nigerians at large to disregard the purported views and activities of this group, as they do not represent the position of the Ogun West Elders Consultative Forum,” he said.

Not to be sidelined

The Olateju group, at the press conference, however, said the other group carried out its work without informing all members of the Forum.

“They went round and picked two of our members, but did not tell us to nominate them,” he said.

“We don’t know how they arrived at their decision. Their decision was not totally acceptable to others who were screened, but they said it was their internal problem which they would solve,” Mr. Olateju said.

He said it was the forum which approached Mr. Olurin to contest and they are convinced about his quality.

“He is the candidate we have recommended. We believe we have not made any mistake or error. Olurin is just 63 and still agile. Experience is the best teacher, and his experience has outshined other aspirants. We would not fold our arms and see Olurin being sidelined,” he said.


http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5639806-146/governorship_slot_tears_ogun_elders_forum.csp

A bunch of political idiots. Both groups do not represent the yearnings and aspirations of citizens of the gateway state. Let it be foretold the the PDP come 2011 shall go into political oblivion. The fraud they committed in 2007 cannot be replicated in 2011. The party is a house divided against itself. Enough of political brigandage in Ogun State.

gbenga must go to jail !