Obasanjo’s faction wins Ogun PDP battle

MEMBERS of the Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were thrown into a frenzy yesterday, with the news that former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s faction will field candidates for the April polls.

But the Governor Gbenga Daniel faction insisted that it had received the blessing of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to present the party’s flagbearers.

The INEC stand on Ogun PDP was not its only shocking move yesterday. About 20 political parties, which will not field any candidate, will be deregistered.In Ogun State, there is a court order compelling INEC to recognise a faction other than that of Governor Daniel. We are a law-abiding body and we will abide by that decision. However, if there is any counter-directive from a superior court, we will comply with that.The thick cloud of confusion over who – between General Tunji Olurin and Mr Gboyega Isiaka – flies the Ogun PDP’s flag may have disappeared.

It was learnt that the approval of Olurin’s candidature followed a Federal High Court, Abuja’s order on INEC to accept the former military administrator of Oyo State, based on the outcome of the congress conducted by the harmonised executive committee of the PDP, headed by Bashorun Dayo Soremi.

The order barred PDP and the electoral umpire from recognising and accepting Isiaka, who emerged in a parallel congress held at the MKO Stadium, Abeokuta by a faction of the party headed by Elder Joju Fadairo.

Olurin, who is believed to be backed by Obasanjo, hails from Yewa. Isiaka, who is also from Yewa, is supported by Daniel.

In a telephone interview yesterday, Olurin told The Nation that he remained the authentic candidate.

He said: “I have been declared the gubernatorial candidate. And you have to believe INEC and not what the other faction is saying. Wait patiently for INEC to release the list of candidates and, very soon, it will be out.”

But, Isiaka said Olurin had not told the public the true position of things. He described him as a “drowning man” who, “in a fight for survival, would hold on to anything, even if that happens to be a straw”.

Speaking through his Media Assistant, Mr Bolaji Adeniji, Isiaka said he submitted his form at INEC’s Abuja office in company of the PDP National Legal Adviser and wondered how INEC could have approved Olurin as candidate.