Kobojunkie:

Who decides what level is unacceptable? Like the many OLE's in APGA, ACN etc, Bankole has yet to be convicted of any financial crimes. Most of his stealing was probably done LEGITIMATELY so, I am not certain why you are trying to single him out in some way as if he stole money illegally like many of those in ACN as well have been accused of doing. Fashola turning out to be a good politician does not mean ACN as a party is clean and all. I mean one could also claim that the record of PDP governors like Amaechi, Sullivan etc absolves PDP party. That is just irrational no matter which way you try to paint it.

There are no Saintly parties out there, but DISCRIMINATING against the man simply on the grounds that you think he is a bigger ole is just wrong and I bet he can sue if that even happens. ROFLMAO!

Kobojunkie:

You are best asking Orji in Abia State who successfully moved over to APGA, and I believe he moved back again in no time. ROFLMAO!!

Not certain how it is done in Nigeria but I doubt their record really counts for much judging by the way these people move from one to the other with no care at all. I mean if there was some serious vetting system in place, I doubt many of these politicians will be able to move around as freely as they continue to.

Ileke-IdI:

I thought you of all people would know [and I meant that sincerely  ].

I really dont get the point of switching fro one party to another. . . .it gets nothing done either way. Or does the salary differ from each party? 

Kobojunkie:

What we see happening today is nothing new . . . . this is election tactic that has been going on in Nigeria for a while now and it is time we learn that these people switching parties willy nilly are doing it mostly for selfish reasons. These politicians understand that they need to align themselves with the winning team in order to maintain/remain in power. And so, with the PDP Quagmire, it makes sense that the lower end members will find their way to any other party that can help guarantee them a seat come next election. Even mere officers are doing the same. . . they are out in the thousands trying to make for themselves friends who will help them back in next election. Why do you think ACN is even opening up to Buhari? It is probably cause they have come to realize that the Ribadu fad is probably not going to take them all the way come April.

axeman85:

ACN never allign themselves with rogue politicians. the likes of bankola should not be accepted into the party for the sake of them keeping their integrity and standing for what they are known for which is outstanding excellence and performance. all what these guys are doing in just purely for selfish reasons as they want to wiin at all cost. jst merely reading the article the reasons they are giving for decamping is just for them to be able to contest and win.

2011: PDP To Lose More Heavyweights .

Saturday, 25 December 2010 02:45 Andrew Oota, Abuja .

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, Senate leader, Teslim Folarin, as well as many other lawmakers may already be on their way to the Action Congress of Nigeria following developments in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in their various states, where there is a battleline between them and their state governors, LEADERSHIP WEEKEND gathered on good authority.

LEADERSHIPWEEKEND reliably gathered that other lawmakers also planning to defect to the Action Congress of Nigeria include Senators Chris Anyanwu (Imo) George Akume (Benue) as wells as Sylvester Anyanwu (Imo).

It was learnt that presently, the four lawmakers are already in secret talks with the national leadership of the Action Congress of Nigeria, including the former Lagos State governor, Ahmed Bola Tinubu who promise to provide smooth entry of the PDP bigwigs.

On his part, it was gathered that Speaker Bankole may be switching parties with 70 lawmakers in no distant time everything being equal.

It was also reliably gathered that Bankole’s state governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel is willing to lose his senatorial ambition than to allow the speaker retain his seat in the House of Representatives. Bakari Idowu, an aide to the speaker, however, denied that the speaker was planning to leave the PDP. “It is not true at all. He is the highest political office holder in the South-West, so why should he leave, he has not indicated such interest,” he said.

LEADERSHIP WEEKEND also gathered that the Ogun State governor, who is the South-West coordinator of president Goodluck Jonathan’s 2011 presidential campaign, has left no one in doubt, including the President, of his interest and plans to stop Bankole, a fact EADERSHIP WEEKEND learnt the speaker is already familiar with.

But sources close to the speaker told LEADERSHIP WEEKEND on condition of anonymity that, “it is true that oga would soon leave that evil party, because the governor is bent on stopping him, the president is aware of this and he is doing nothing to save the speaker, so what do you expect him to do. He cannot continue to remain in a party where there is no fairness. Look at what happened to Ghali Na’Abba in 2003, that is exactly what they want to do because, even if the speaker is able to win at the primaries, they will still stop him at the general elections, because Jonathan believes that the governor is the only person that can make him win Ogun State. So he does not really care.

“What I know for sure is that the speaker is leaving the PDP, but where he is going is what I can not say for now. But I believe that with the popularity of the ACN in the South-West, he would certainly embrace the that party. And I am telling you that the party will be happy to have him in its fold”.

It was also gathered that the Senate leader, Teslim Folarin, is also having serious discussions with both the Oyo chapter and national secretariat of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) which would soon witness his formal defection in PDP over same perceived plans by the state governor, Alao-Akala to stop him returning to the Senate in 2011.

Since the death of the strong Ibadan politician, late Lamidi Adedibu, his in-law, the senate leader, has been experiencing turbulence in the politics of the state under the leadership of Chief Alao-Akala as governor.

LEADERSHIP WEEKEND gathered that the governor has also vowed to do everything humanly possible to stop the Senate leader; hence Senator Folarin would soon be joining the ACN.

Same for the two senators from Imo State: Chris Anyanwu and Sylvester Anyanwu, who are presently having rough times with the Imo State governor, Ikedi Ohakim.

The State governor was recently quoted as saying that Osita Izunaso is the only senator from Imo State.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP WEEKEND, Ethelbert Okere, the governor’s special assistant on public enlightenment , denied that the governor had favourites, “Our local government primaries have just been adjudged the best nationwide. This is made so because Governor Ohakim backed no one in particular. He has also said people should select and back their candidates. He has anointed nobody and he has not condemned anyone”, he said.

For Senator George Akume who was recently demoted in Senate Committee chairmanship to vice chairman, LEADERSHIP WEEKEND gathered that his defection had no direct link with the state governor, Honourable Gabriel Suswam. It was gathered that the entrance of a member of the House of Representatives, Honourable Terngu Tsegba, into the race and the closeness of the House member to the governor had posed serious threats to the re-election of Senator Akume.

Although the Benue State governor has not engaged his predecessor in any open quarrel or done anything to suggest that he does not want Akume back to the Senate, his silence is another source of worry to the former governor.

juman:

ACN leaders should be careful, may be these people are sent by OBJ to be elected on the platform of ACN and change back to PDP. They may be sent to disorganise ACN.  PDP politicians are not trustworthy.

dami_paul:

Ogun State would be lucky to have Dimeji has Governor, but nah, don't think Dimeji's interested in that seat, he's got his eyes on a bigger seat.

axeman85:

ACN never allign themselves with rogue politicians. the likes of bankola should not be accepted into the party for the sake of them keeping their integrity and standing for what they are known for which is outstanding excellence and performance. all what these guys are doing in just purely for selfish reasons as they want to wiin at all cost. jst merely reading the article the reasons they are giving for decamping is just for them to be able to contest and win.

eku_bear:

@Gbawe: I enjoyed reading your posts. Very informative.

dami_paul:

@Gbawe, would you rather be a Gov and have dominion over a state or be the speaker and influence 36 states. Dimeji doesn't need to be Gov to deal with Gbenga, go ask Gbenga what he's going thru in Dimeji's hands.

anonimi:

@Gbawe
almost everything is right about your analysis EXCEPT [b]where you somehow imagine that Bankole has any desire of achieving anything for "his nation".[/b]the young man is thorough bred rogue like most of the other current day politicians since most of us are content with armchair analysis rather than registering to vote and encouraging other to do likewise.
we will not matter to the politicians except they know we can determine their fate to some extent. QED

Another source told SaharaReporters that Governor Daniel has completely marginalized former President Olusegun Obasanjo and a former minister of his, Jubrin Martins Kuye. “Chief Obasanjo wants [former military administrator] Olurin, Governor Daniel wants Isiaka Gboyega, and Bankole has to search for a new platform to actualize his ambition,” an insider told Saharareporters.

dami_paul:

My brother, don't view/see things from the surface, the house did give an ultimatum concerning the crises in Ogun house, that you've not seen Dimeji and Daniel fight physically or exchange words doesn't mean the house is not taking it's ultimatum seriously. Can't say more than that

Gbawe:

This is not accurate . Bankole's "influence" is , in reality, not what some of us think it is . The senate and house of Rep are the most frustrating places for achievers, progressives and reform-minded politicians to find themselves in. The legislative arm of Nigeria is badly in need of reform because for far too long it has attracted indolent men and women who are the representatives of themselves and the various interest groups and cabal that have sponsored them to power  . It is a house divided against itself where good intentions never win against expediency and self-servitude. This is why we dont see the smooth passage of bills that can accelerate the development of Nigeria .  If Bankole , as per his youth , is not totally jaded and if he still has any decency in him then he will be fed up with existing in an environment of non-stop 'horsetrading' where one man cannot make a difference because his good intentions , if it goes againt the interest of his colleagues and their sponsors, will always be shot down.

As a Governor , Bankole would be able to make a difference at least as far as his State is concerned . It si interesting you think OGD is having a tough time with Bankole because I don't see what you see. Bankole instigated the Rep to give Ogun State Assembly an ultimatum. The Reps threatened to take over Ogun Assembly after a period if OGD's is not stopped several weeks ago . What has happened ? Nada !!! Dimeji and his colleagues blinked first despite their "national power" !!! The result of those sort of tussle will , if anything, convince Bankole that Governors are powerful . We forget that Bankole is young. Unlike old and jaded Dinosaurs like OBJ, Anenih , Danjuma et al , Dimeji still has time to grow tired of existing in a place where he can never achieve anything positive for his nation.

Gbawe:

The entire world is now savvy about the modus operandi of OBJ - the originator of "do-or-die" politics and "operation totality" . The SW region generally wants to see the back of retrogressive politicians and I predicted , ages ago on this forum, what we are now seeing today . OBJ is finished . Non of his crude machinations of yester years will work today . Folks are on to him. He will not get a chance to mess us up again and he will never get a chance to redeem his odious image.

Bankole , if he moves to the ACN , is simply doing what he must to survive. The hatred between Bankole and OGD is real . Leave both in a room and only one will emerge alive. They have nearly come to blows several times . If Bankole himself is not a powerful man with good protection , OGD would have 'dealth' with him. Those who know OGD and what he is capable of will know what I mean. I think the PDP will fight tooth and nail to prevent Bankole defecting but the more I think about it the more I conclude that Bankole is left with no option. OGD and OBJ are essentially the same . They hate enduringly and their l.ust for vengeance never diminishes with time. Bankole will be aware that he is finished without powerful public office. With OGD enjoying the highly biased support of desperate GEJ , Bankole may have no option but to make this move for reasons of surviving persecution against a deadly foe. Bankole will be aware that OGD , at this point in time , will get anything he wants from GEJ. Bankole would be a fool to wait around while his biggest enemy has the total support and backing of the Presidency.

Mr.Chyz:

Failed man for a failed state.Good match.

Kobojunkie:

I have to say it at this point . . .This from you?

apoti:

What's even between Obasanjo and this Olurin sef

Ileke-IdI:

KoboJ, make we no fight for this christmas o

I say Ole get level. Even your Obama is an ole. Even JESUS was an OLE. You see, ole get level.

Bankole in PDP is trouble. He should decamp to APGA
[/quote
I have been enjoying this topic but you have made it , Pease mind your words.