₦airaland Forum

I'll complete Amosun's projects, Kashamu tells Egbaland leaders

...Gets the blessings of Egba chiefs

The Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Senator Buruji Kashamu, has promised to complete ongoing projects commenced by the incumbent Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

He spoke on Sunday when he led members of his campaign team to visit the Balogun of Egbaland, the Ologuns, the Oloroguns, the Olori Parakoyi of Egbaland and the Parakoyis of Egbaland.

Receiving the team at his residence in Ibara Housing Estate, Abeokuta, the Balogun of Egbaland, High Chief Sikirulai Atobatele welcomed the team, saying he and his colleagues have had similar interactions with other candidates.

Addressing the gathering, Senator Kashamu sought the support of the chiefs and traditional institutions for his Governorship ambition.

He said if elected, he will be the Governor of all the good people of Ogun State, regardless of the level of infrastructural development in the state capital.

Reiterating his commitment and love for Egbaland, Kashamu said inclusiveness will be a cardinal principle of his Administration, if elected.

This, he said, was the reason Dr. Reuben Abati whom he described as a "son of the soil" was picked as his deputy.

''To demonstrate our commitment to inclusive governance, we have one of your illustrious sons as the PDP Deputy Governorship Candidate. He is Dr. Reuben Abati. This is the only ticket that recognizes the importance of the Egbas in the scheme of things in our dear state.

"My Deputy will not be a spare tyre. He is very learned and exposed. He and other Egba sons and daughters that will work with me will be my partners-in-progress and they will definitely protect the interest of the good people of Egbaland," Kashamu said.

He lauded the incumbent for its infrastructural development, promising to build on his efforts, if voted on March 2.

''The incumbent Governor, His Excellency, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has done well in terms of security and infrastructural development. Since government is a continuum, I will build on what he has done and take Ogun to greater heights," Kashamu said

The Governorship Candidate reiterated his commitment to financial autonomy for local governments and submitted an undertaking to the Balogun and Olori Parakoyi, which he said, should be used to hold him accountable.

Responding, the Balogun of Egbaland and other chiefs spoke of the need for Kashamu to ensure that projects commenced by Governor Amosun in Egbaland are completed.

Kashamu also received royal blessings from the Olori Parakoyi of Egbaland, Chief Kashimawo Laloko; the Iyalojas and the Olori Ajes of Egbaland who all prayed for his success at the polls.

Ahead of the March 2 Governorship and House of Assembly election, monarchs, Christians, Muslims and traditionalists in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State have endorsed the governorship ambition of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in Ogun State, Senator Buruji Kashamu.
The stakeholders decried government’s neglect in recent years, but declared their full support for Kashamu whom they said has a track record of generosity and keeping to his promises.
They spoke during Kashamu’s consultative visits to them on Saturday where he spoke of his plans if elected as governor at the forthcoming polls.
On hand to receive Kashamu were the Akija of Ikija, His Royal Highness, Oba Kayode Alakija; the Onitasin of Imobi Kingdom, His Royal Highness, Oba F.R.A Adegbesan; the Ogirimadagbo of Ilodo, His Royal Highness, Oba Isiaka Ajede; the Moyegeso of Itele, His Royal Highness, Oba (Engr.) Kasali Mufutau; the Magusen of Itamarun, His Royal Highness, Oba Joseph Abayomi Ade Fakoya and Oyebola of Igbaga, His Royal Highness, Oba M.A.O. Adenaike.
Kashamu told the stakeholders that he was in the local government as part of his consultations and visits to the leaders and people of Ogun State over his governorship ambition.
He informed them of the overwhelming support and endorsement he had received from other stakeholders in Ogun West and Ogun Central senatorial districts.
Kashamu listed the various projects he had facilitated in the Ijebu East Local Government, stressing that, “besides my personal involvements in a number of philanthropic projects in Ijebu East Local Government, as your senator in the last three and half years, I have facilitated eight ( projects across the local government.
“These projects include the construction of a block of three (3) classrooms with VIP toilet at LGA Primary School, Isire; construction of a block of three (3) classrooms at Ijebu Imushin Comprehensive High School; supply of 57 units of grain grinding machine; Renovation/Rehabilitation of Community Health Centre, Itele; Supply of various hospital equipment and drugs for the Community Health Centre, Itele; Construction of Open Market Stalls at Ogbere; Construction of a block of three (3) classrooms with VIP toilet at Moslem Primary School 2, Oke Ife, Ijebu-Ife; and Construction of Motorized Borehole at Ajebandele.”

The PDP governorship candidate reiterated his commitment to ensuring financial autonomy to local governments as a way of engendering grassroots development.
“I commit to releasing all allocations due to local governments. I will not deduct from their allocations. This is to ensure grassroots development.
“I also commit to remitting all statutory deductions from staff salaries to the relevant unions and authorities as and when due.
“To promote free enterprise and grow the economy, substantial funds shall be set aside to assist the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Loans from the funds shall attract no interest,” Kashamu said.
In a bid to demonstrate his commitment to fulfilling his promises, Kashamu submitted an undertaking to the royal fathers, saying that would make them to hold him accountable to his promises, if elected.
At the meeting, Oba Alakija, who is the Chairman of the Traditional Rulers’ Council in the local government, recalled Kashamu’s kind gesture towards him in the past, describing it as “unbelievable”.
He said: “I know you might have forgotten, but I remember you sent a gift to me some time ago despite the fact that I have never met you one-on-one. It was unbelievable. I have been in this throne for 23 years. No one has ever given me the kind of gift you gave me.
“More so, you have performed creditably well as a Senator. We believe this is our time to reciprocate. You have our full support and we urge you to do your very best when you get into the government house,” Oba Alakija said.
At the interactive sessions with the religious leaders and traditionalists, Kashamu pledged his commitment to giving them a pride of place in his government, if elected.
They all endorsed him and prayed for his success at the polls, describing him as one politician who has always identified with them and the masses.

...Lawyer says "It is over" for his governorship ambition

A major upset may have hit the camp of a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu as the factional party chairman in Ijebu Ode Local Government, Otunba Gbolahan Nowoola resigned his appointment.

In a statement posted on the social media by Nowoola on Friday, the Ijebu-Ode born politician said, "God bless our dear PDP. It is time to bid Ogun State politics farewell or (take a ) sabbatical leave.

"What is Local Govt PDP Chairman to me?Otunba Gbolahan A. Nowoola.
Time and physical resources that I have put in as PDP Chairman, Ijebu Ode LG over the years can never be quantified.

"Adebutu gave mere N650k for a rally that covered 4 different locations in a cosmopolitan LG that saw 6 police patrol vehicles, DSS, SIB, Civil Defence, Military patrol vehicles and was still shouting "where is my money"

"A rally that was so successful without any hitch. A rally that was organised by seasoned politicians of note that made up the campaign committee, which, I voluntarily didn't include myself as the chairman. A committee headed by the LG Deputy Chairman that was only given less than 48 hours to organise. I am the Great Kakanfo of Ilara Kingdom. I am a Lagos State High Chief on Lagos State payroll for ever. My title is worth many titles. No one can insult my personality.Again, No ONE.

The statement read further, "I will miss my people in Ijebu Ode, my fellow party mates and followers. My Senatorial Chairman sir, God bless you, Oga.

"Fellow LG chairmen,I will miss you too. Ogborioooooo,I am so sorry but I can't take this 'shit' anymore.
Osoko, my Oga,I hail sir. Leaders and collegiate leaders of Akile Ijebu,your son is moving higher. Iperu Agenda rules Ogun State. It's Lado's way or you hit the highway.

"My mentor sir, OGD, I am still loyal and it's Atiku and PDP all way.
I have some votes under me and we shall deliver them for PDP.
I really wish Hon Adebutu great lucks but his handlers should do better.The qualities of a good person is still NOT in him yet."

Similarly, a one-time lead counsel to Adebutu, Dr. Yemi Oke has openly declared that Adebutu has lost the batte for Ogun State PDP governorship ticket.

In a statement he posted on the social media same Friday, the legal practitioner said, "Awi' wii-wii won o gbo" (We cried, shouted, "He" turned deaf hears). My labour, threats to life, loss of SAN and Court of Appeal nomination on ground of evil petitions of the other camp; labour, efforts of Excos, supporters, legal team, others- all thrown into the lagoon for preventable 'carelessness'. O ma se'e o (Sad, very sad). Now, billions of Baba Ijebu (that kindhearted, generous old man) wasted. God/Allah will reward Baba elswehere.

"It's over, guys - (aso o ba 'omoye', omoye ti rin wo-wo wo'ja)- the harm is done beyond redemption. Again, it is well, over and done-Yemi Oke."

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had on Thursday, 31st of January, 2019 published the name of Senator Buruji Kashamu as the Ogun State PDP Governorship Candidate in the March 2 governorship election.

Adebutu had been locked in a long-drawn battle with Kashamu for the Ogun State PDP Governorship ticket until it was resolved last Thursday by the electoral umpire.

Ijebu monarchs endorse Kashamu

In what could be described as a season of royal endorsements and blessings for the Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Senator Buruji Kashamu on Thursday received the endorsement of traditional rulers in Odogbolu Local Government Area of the state.

The monarchs, who were led by the Dagburewe of Idowa, His Royal Highness, Oba Yunusa Adekoya (OON), described Senator Kashamu as one of the illustrious sons of Ijebuland and prayed for his success at the polls.

Addressing the traditional rulers, Kashamu told the gathering that he was in their domain "in continuation of our consultations with the traditional institutions and our highly respected royal fathers."

Continuing, he said, "Earlier in the week, we visited the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, who gave his blessings to our aspirations. Yesterday, we were in Ogun West Senatorial District, where we meet with the Yewaland Oba-in-council.

"At the meeting presided over by the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, I was pronounced 'an adopted son of Yewaland with equal rights as their own sons'. Simply put, this ticket received their overwhelming endorsement.

"Your Royal Highnesses, I am not a stranger to Odogbolu Local Government. Aside my personal involvements in a number of philanthropic projects in Odogbolu Local Government, as your senator, I have facilitated no less than eight projects across the local government.

"The projects include the construction of a block of three (3) classrooms at Odogbolu Grammar School, Odogbolu; construction of a block of three (3) classrooms at Saint Paul Anglican School, Odogbolu; supply of 100 units of grinding machine to our people in the local government; supply of 500 KVA transformer at Omu; Construction of solar-powered borehole at Idotun; supply and installation of 300 KVA at Odoyanta; supply and installation of 300 KVA transformer at Imodi-Imosan; and the supply and installation of 200 KVA transformer at Odogbolu."

Senator Kashamu also seized the opportunity to reiterate his commitment to releasing all allocations due to local governments.

"I will not deduct from their allocations. This is to ensure grassroots development.

"I also commit to remitting all statutory deductions from staff salaries to the relevant unions and authorities as and when due.

"Also, substantial funds shall be set aside to assist the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Loans from the funds shall attract no interest," he said

To demonstrate his resolve to fulfilling his promises, Senator Kashamu submitted an undertaking dated 28th January, 2019, to the traditional Rulers through Oba Adekoya, in which he stated his resolve not to tamper with council funds, among others.


Party stalwarts who accompanied the candidate on the visit included the Ogun State PDP Chairman, Engr. Adebayo Dayo; Director General of the Kashamu/Abati Campaign Organisation, Dr. Remilekun Bakare; a veteran politician and octogenarian, Pa Robert Adenaike; Ogun Senatorial District candidate, Engr. Adeola Sosanwo; Ijebu Central Candidate, Barrister Taiwo Shote (a.k.a Pepe) and Honourable Babatunde Sikiru Balogun (a.k.a BSB), among others.

Ogun 2019: You’re on your own, INEC tells Adebutu

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said any Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member in Ogun State campaigning for elective position without being on the candidates’ list released by the electoral umpire "is on his or her own" as the body has nothing to do with such.

Mr. Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner for Information, Media and Voter Education, said this while featuring on Citizens’ Forum, a programme aired by the Rock City 101.9 FM, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Honourable Oladipupo Adebutu, a member of the House of Representatives and some of his supporters have been campaigning for various offices despite not making the list of candidates released by INEC.

Adebutu has been at loggerheads with Senator Buruji Kashamu, PDP’s governorship candidate in Ogun State, over the governorship ticket.

According to Okoye, only members of the PDP whose names were on the list released by INEC were the genuine candidates of the party, adding that others were mere pretenders.

Okoye said, “Our position is that the INEC received judgments of properly constituted courts of law and we have given effect to the judgments that we have. The judgments that we have asked the INEC to recognize the list of candidates submitted by a particular faction of the PDP in Ogun State. We have recognized the candidates submitted by that particular political party and we have published the names of those candidates recognized by the court. So, it is the names of those candidates that have been published. Any other individual, outside that particular list, who is campaigning for any position whatsoever, is on his or her own. The INEC has nothing to do with that. We have obeyed the law. We have published the list of candidates that we were asked to publish based on court order and we have done what the law requires us to do.”

Okoye also said that INEC was doing all within its powers to prevent vote buying during the elections.

According to him, “The INEC has intelligence that as we are working assiduously to prevent the phenomenon of vote buying, politicians and political parties are working assiduously at devising new mechanisms on how to corrupt the electoral system and subvert the will of the people. We are going to put up new measures to address this issue.

“My advice is that those who want to violate the law and those who want to change the will of the Nigerian people can continue with what they are doing. But on election day, the INEC will work with security agencies to make sure that anybody who tries to corrupt the electoral process or who attempts to violate the will of the people is apprehended and prosecuted. My advice to political parties and candidates that want to subvert the will of the people is that they should be very careful because INEC and all the security agencies will be on the watch out for anyone who wants to violate the law.”

The INEC National Commissioner said the general election would witness a larger voter turnout than the 2015 elections.

He said, “We expect a larger voter turnout based on various variables.

“One, we have registered over 80 million voters for this particular election. Second, the simultaneous accreditation and voting will afford Nigerian people the opportunity of voting without any disruption or delay. Third, we expect the political parties to mobilize electorate for them to come out to cast their votes. We expect a higher voter turnout in this election than we had in the previous election.”

Kashamu picks hospital bill of 6-year-old brain tumour patient

The joy of a peasant farmer, Mr. Yinka Adekoya of 10, Ajilaran Cele Ejinrin Road, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, knew no bounds on Wednesday (23rd January 2019) when the Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Senator Buruji Kashamu presented to him a cheque of N500, 000 ( Five Hundred Thousand Naira)

The money is meant to offset the hospital bill of Adekoya's six-year-old son, Aderibigbe, who has been diagnosed of suffering from brain tumour.

Aderibigbe is scheduled to undergo surgery at the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, Oyo State.

The gesture, which came under the healthcare programme of the Senator Buruji Kashamu-led Omoilu Foundation, is part of the series of programmes lined up by the foundation to uplift the people.

Presenting the cheque to Mr. Adekoya, the Ogun State Coordinator of the Foundation, Mr. Leke Shittu, said the gesture was part of Senator Kashamu’s humanitarian efforts to bring succour to those in need.

“For decades, it has become the tradition of Senator Kashamu to reach out to the sick and the needy under the auspices of Omoilu Foundation. This is just one out of the many who have benefitted from his philanthropic gestures.

"That is Senator Kashamu for you. He is such a cheerful giver who believes in giving back to the society,” Shittu said.

An elated Adekoya expressed gratitude to the lawmaker for the kind gesture.

"I sincerely thank Senator Kashamu for saving the life of my little boy. I still can't believe what is happening. Someone from Lagos directed me to his office. I only met him once. Indeed, he is a rare breed. A cheerful giver and friend of the masses. We need more of his type in Nigeria. I cannot thank him enough. God will spare his life and bless him more; so that he can help many more people," Adekoya said.

KASHAMU TO OGUN PDP MEMBERS: LET’S CLOSE RANKS AND WORK FOR PDP

1. Following the publication of the list of National Assembly candidates by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), it has become imperative for me make a few remarks.



2. It has been a long-drawn battle between the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun State PDP Executive and the Sikirulai Ogundele group which is backed Honourable Oladipupo Adebutu.



3. While the dispute lasted, I have always maintained that it is through the instrumentality of the Rule of Law that any perceived wrong can be corrected.



4. I reckon that when there is a dispute, there could be groupings. But our position has been that we should not allow such groupings to divide us, looking at the glory ahead of us.



5. We all know that Ogun State is a PDP state. Unfortunately, the PDP has been out of government for eight years which looked like forever.



6. We are also aware of how tough things have been for the vast majority of our people.



7. That is why I and Honourable Ladi Adebutu have intervened to ameliorate the plight of our people through our Constituency Projects and various philanthropic activities.



8. Notwithstanding the misunderstanding between the two groups, now that the courts have delivered their verdicts and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has complied, it is time to look beyond the gladiators; lay aside our personal interest and prejudices and work for the PDP.



9.This is the right path to take if we wish our state well and have its interest at heart.



10. We believe that the PDP can build on the foundations laid by the founding fathers of our dear state and its current minders, and take it to greater heights.



11. With the last judgment delivered by the FCT High Court, the issue of the list of candidates has been resolved.



12. This has been further accentuated by INEC’s publication of the list of National Assembly candidates.



13. In the light of the above, and with a high sense of responsibility, I wish to respectfully urge all our elders, leaders, members and followers to close ranks and work together in all the 236 wards of Ogun State.



14. The mission of every genuine PDP member should be to win the state. Therefore, I enjoin all members of the party to work towards ensuring victory for the party. It is only when the party wins that our collective aspiration of having a better Ogun State can be realized.

15. I thank all our elders, leaders, members and followers for their unwavering support, steadfastness and love all through the years.

Senator Buruji Kashamu
Ogun State PDP Governorship Candidate
20th January, 2019

COURT DISMISSES ADEBUTU'S SUIT AGAINST PDP, INEC, KASHAMU OVER OGUN PDP GUBER CANDIDATE



A Federal Capital Territory High Court on Monday dismissed a legal action instituted by a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, to challenge the nomination of Senator Buruji Kashamu as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State for the March 2, 2019 governorship election.

The court held that Adebutu, who was nominated by the National Working Committee of PDP for the governorship election, cannot maintain his suit against the defendants because the primary election that produced him was conducted in violation of a subsisting court judgment.

Justice Ajoke Adepoju, in a judgment in the suit filed by Adebutu to challenge the refusal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to accept his candidacy, said that the PDP National Working Committee acted in bad faith by disregarding a subsisting judgment of a Federal High Court to produce the candidate.

Justice Adepoju said that since PDP was a party in the judgment of the Honourable Justice I.N. Buba, the judgment of the court was binding on it and must be obeyed and respected so as to protect the sanctity of court in the interest of the rule of law.

The judge agreed that it was the National Working Committee of the party (PDP) that reserves the power to conduct primary election for nomination of candidates for the 2019 general election but however said that the National Working Committee must not do so in violation of any court judgment.

Justice Adepoju held that the PDP National Working Committee cannot not hold valid primary election without a recourse to the Ogun State chapter of the party or outright approval of the party until the judgment against it by Justice Buba has been set aside by a higher court.

Justice Adepoju said that Hon. Adebutu’s case cannot be maintained to declare him a governorship candidate because the PDP National Working Committee which conducted the primary election that produced him as a candidate last year did so in violation of a judgment of a Federal High Court delivered by Justice Ibrahim Buba.

The judge, therefore, dismissed the suit in its entirety.

The Judge said that she arrived at the conclusion because of the need for sanctity and judgments of courts to be protected by parties or individuals, adding that PDP did not do well by disobeying the judgment of Justice Buba with the way it conducted its primary election in Ogun State last year.

Justice Adepoju said that although Hon. Adebutu was able to establish that his own primary election was conducted by the appropriate organ of PDP but that he was not entitled to be declared the candidate because of the circumstances that surrounded the conduct of the primary election in breach of a judgment that has not been set aside.

Earlier, the court had dismissed the objection raised by Kashamu against the case of Adebutu on ground of jurisdiction, adding that the House of Representatives member has the option in law either to file his case in Abeokuta, Ogun State or in Abuja as he did.

Senator Buruji Kashamu and his counterpart in the House of Representatives, Hon Ladi Adebutu have been laying claim and counter claim to the party’s governorship ticket having emerged from two parallel primaries conducted in the state.

But in the suit filed by Adebutu with References No. FCT/FT/CV/29/2018, he prayed the Abuja High Court to declare him as the authentic PDP candidate for the 2019 governorship Poll in Ogun State.

His ground in the suit argued by his counsel Mr. Patrick Ediale was that he emerged as a candidate from the primary election conducted by the Uche Secondus-led National Working Committee of the party.

The House of Representative member also hinged his claim on the ground that he was not a party to any court case or judgment against that may have any binding effect on him.

But, Kashamu who was represented by a legal luminary Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the suit on ground of lack of jurisdiction.

Izinyon told Justice Ajoke Adepoju that the primary elections in dispute were conducted in Ogun State and that the appropriate place to institute the suit remains Ogun State in the face of the law.

Besides, the senior counsel submitted that the primary election that produced Kashamu was the authentic and lawful one having been conducted in line with judgment of Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court, Lagos.

In the judgment exhibited in the court, Justice Buba had in 2016 ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and PDP to recognize and accept, for purposes of the 2019 Nigeria General Elections, only candidates of the PDP in Ogun State that have been nominated through primaries endorsed or conducted by the Adebayo Dayo-led new officers of the PDP in Ogun State.

The implication of this judgment is that Senator Kashamu and the candidates that emerged from the primaries endorsed by the Engr. Dayo-led Ogun State PDP Executive would remain the candidates of the Ogun State PDP for the 2019 general election.

Campaign vehicles damaged by Lado thugs. One of the drivers was beaten up too.

Kashamu to supporters: let’s work with Adebutu’s group

The lawmaker representing Ogun East Senatorial District at the Senate, Senator Buruji Kashamu has formally directed all his supporters and associates to work with members of the Lado group within the Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – in the overall interest of the party.

The Lado group is led by a member of the House of Representatives, Honourable Ladi Adebutu, who has been locked in a supremacy battle with Senator Kashamu over the control of the state party structure and the Ogun State PDP governorship ticket.

In a statement he issued on Thursday in Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State, Senator Kashamu said it was better for the contending groups to work and win together – in the overall interest of the party. As the saying goes, “united we stand; divided we fall”. It is only in unity that we can stand tall together.

“It is true we are in court. But, we are hopeful that the issues will be resolved sooner than later. However, in the overall interest of the party, it is better and wiser for us to work together as members of the same family pending the resolution of the issues in court. We may have had our disagreements and issues, and have submitted them to the court for adjudication; yet, we have been talking to one another.

“We reckon that whichever way it goes, the court cannot bring about genuine reconciliation and peace. So, we have resolved to be agents of peace and reconciliation. Let us put aside our ego, prejudices and personal interests, and work together for the Party – in the hope that whoever carries the day will work for the Party, its members and the generality of the people.

“It is in the light of the foregoing that I wish to formally and publicly urge all my leaders, elders and supporters to work with the Lado group within the Ogun State chapter of the PDP ahead of February 16 and March 2, 2019 elections. Irrespective of our differences, we are members of the same family. At the end, it is the party that wins; not any individual or group.”

Kashamu therefore urged that the ongoing unity meetings and rallies between the two groups within the Ogun State PDP should be intensified and held in the 236 wards, 20 local governments and three senatorial districts of the state.

These, he said, will be capped with a “Mega Unity Rally” to be held on a date and venue to be announced soon.

CHANNELS TV TURNS DOWN LADI ADEBUTU’S INTERVIEW REQUEST

... Asks him to produce proof of INEC’s recognition

The management of foremost Lagos-based television station, Channels Television, has called off the plan to feature a member of the House of Representatives, Ladi Adebutu on its flagship political programme, “Politics Today”.

This followed the Adebutu’s inability to produce a proof that he is the Ogun State PDP governorship candidate known to law and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Adebutu, it was learnt, had called Channels requesting for an interview after the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Dapo Abiodun, was featured on the 30th of December, 2018, where the highlight shown on Channels TV read, “OGUN STATE GOVERNORSHIP RACE…Isiaka, Kashamu, Abiodun, Bankole, Others Eye Seat”.

The fact that Adebutu’s name was not mentioned as one of the candidates – and rightly so since he is not known to INEC and the law – forced him to call Channels TV to mislead it and thereby requested for an interview appointment which was scheduled for 7p.m this Thursday, 3rd January, 2019.

But when the Kashamu/Abati Campaign Organisation got wind of the proposed interview with Adebutu, the organization vide a letter dated 3rd January, 2019 drew the attention of the management of Channels TV to the impropriety of its action as well as the contemptuous implications.

The letter was accompanied by the two letters from INEC dated 12th April, 2018 and 25th October, 2018 in which the commission predicated its decision to recognize and deal with the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun State PDP Exco and “to accept, process and publish” the list of candidates endorsed by it.

The letter reads in part, “While we reckon that it is within Channels Television’s right and constitutional duties to feature anyone it desires, such must be done within the ambits of the law and not to promote illegality or disobedience to valid and subsisting court judgments. Adebutu is not the governorship candidate of the PDP in Ogun State and it will be totally erroneous, misleading and contemptuous of valid and subsisting judgments of court as well as the prevailing position of the law. There has not been any contrary correspondence. If our opponents claim otherwise, we challenge them to produce such!”

The Campaign Organisation added, “It is expedient to refer to the findings of the Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan in its Judgment at page 12 wherein the Court held as follows; ‘The action instituted at the Lower Court is also not in respect of selection or nomination of candidates to represent the 1st Appellant at an election nor is it a complaint against any election, decision or activity of the INEC (10th Respondent). It is in my view, simply an inter-party dispute between two factions of the party as to which of the factions is the legitimate State Executive of the P.D.P in Ogun State. This appeal is therefore not in respect of a pre-election matter.’



“The findings and decision of the Court of Appeal in the Judgment of 18th December, 2018, clearly shows that the subject of the said appeal was not related to pre-election issues or the selection or nomination of candidates from Ogun State to represent the PDP at the election.



“Therefore, the said appeal and judgment, which do not relate to list of candidates that would represent the Ogun State PDP at the 2019 General Election, the Court of Appeal could not have sacked or pronounced on the issue of list of candidates from Ogun State. What is more, as can be clearly seen on the face of the appeal, Ladi Adebutu is not a party to the appeal. So, how can he claim to be a beneficiary of the judgment of the Court of Appeal?



“It is in the light of the above facts and supporting documents that we urge you to reconsider the plan to feature an impostor who is acting in contempt of valid and subsisting judgments of court. Your reputable media organization should not be used or seen to be encouraging illegality and crass irresponsibility on the part of the political class.”



Based on the superior arguments and convincing documents provided by the Kashamu/Abati Campaign Organisation which Adebutu could not disprove, the Management of the reputable media organization decided to call off the planned interview with Adebutu. So, his planned appearance on Channels TV’s “Politics Today” at 7p.m. has become more or less a still birth.

KashamuAbati2019


The bedrock of good governance is fair representation, equity and justice. Consequently, our administration shall ensure that no part of the state is left out in the affairs of the state. It is our intention to run an inclusive government, a government which every citizen of the state can confidently own. Therefore, our administration would not ignore any part of the state, neither shall we overlook any citizen of the state. We shall create opportunities for regular interaction with the people of the state. We shall run an administration which would ensure that no one needs to know anyone in government before getting their due. For us, it shall be the people first at all times.

We promise to deploy the state’s resources in a manner that would promote sustainable growth and development. Nobody would be kept in the dark concerning the management of the state’s resources as we intend to run an e-government where everyone will have access to information about state affairs.

We will also run a very responsive government where all issues concerning citizens of the state will receive prompt attention.

Kashamu gives daughter out in marriage

Lagos – Ogun Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate and the lawmaker representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Senator Buruji Kashamu on Wednesday gave out his first daughter, Serifat Abimbola Kashamu in marriage to Mr. Adekunle Abidemi Ademakinwa.

The duo tied the knot at a Muslim wedding (Nikkah) held at the Atlantic Hall BWC Hotel, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos State.

The marriage rite was followed by a grand reception at the same venue.

Below are some of the pictures taken at the event:

Christmas: Kashamu urges Nigerians to pray for peaceful polls


As Nigerians join the rest of the world to celebrate the Christmas, the lawmaker representing Ogun East Senatorial District and Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Buruji Kashamu has urged Nigerians, especially the good people of Ogun State to pray for a successful general election.

In a statement he personally signed, Kashamu expressed gratitude to God "for preserving our lives to witness another Christmas. Despite the challenges we face as a people, we should be grateful to the Almighty God for the relative peace in the land."

The lawmaker added that, "As we make merry and celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, let us remember to pray for God's continued guidance, mercy, grace and favour even as we go to the polls to elect a new set of leaders who will preside over our affairs in the next four years. Let us pray for a peaceful election in Nigeria, in general, and Ogun State, in particular, because it is only under a peaceful atmosphere that we can pursue our individual and collective goals."

Kashamu reiterated his commitment to the cardinal principles of transparency, inclusiveness and renewal, if elected, adding that it was by transparently involving all the stakeholders in the policy-formulation and decision-making process that the hope of the people would be renewed.

"That is how we can collectively take Ogun State to greater heights," he added.

The Governorship candidate urged the electorate to vote PDP and its candidates during the 2019 general election.

KASHAMU: I REMAIN OGUN PDP GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE

1. I have read with dismay the reports of a section of the media which seek to interpret the judgment of the Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital as having sacked me and other candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

2. As you would find in the various reports, the Court of Appeal said in its judgment that the matter before it was not a pre-election matter. Hence, it could not have pronounced on the nomination of candidates, let alone sacking me or anyone for that matter. That was not the prayers of PDP and its officers who are the appellants in the matter and so such a prayer could not have been granted.

3. Some have erroneously said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) accepted our list of candidates for the 2019 general election based on the interlocutory orders of the Federal High Court, Abeokuta, which have now been set aside, then our nomination as candidates of the Ogun State PDP has been nullified. That cannot be true because the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court had in a full and final judgment delivered on the 24th of June, 2016. Not satisfied, the other group appealed. On the 4thof May, 2017, the appeal was dismissed. Still not satisfied, they asked the Court of Appeal to relist the appeal. Again, on the 11th of July, 2018, the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal in a well-considered ruling held that the appeal remained dismissed. It is the refusal by the Court of Appeal to relist the appeal that is now pending at the Supreme Court.

4. In the said judgment, the Court specifically ordered, among others:

"That an order is granted to the Plaintiff (i.e. Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun State PDP Exco) restraining the 2nd Defendant by itself, its agents, servants, proxies and surrogates from henceforth conducting the affairs of the PDP in Ogun State, including meetings, congresses and/or primaries except through the new officers of the party that have emerged from congresses conducted by the Plaintiffs as listed in the exhibits attached to the affidavit in support of this originating summons.

"That an order is granted to the Plaintiff restraining the 1st Defendant by itself, officers, agents, servants or privies from recognizing any step or action whatsoever taken by the 2nd Defendant or its National Executive Committee, other organs or officers including the 3rd and 4th Defendants in Ogun state without recourse to and or approval of the Plaintiffs herein.

"That an order is granted to the Plaintiff directing the 1st (INEC) and 2nd (PDP) Defendants to recognize and accept, for purposes of the 2019 Nigerian general elections, only candidates of the PDP in Ogun state that have been nominated through primaries conducted by the new officers of the PDP in Ogun State as listed in the results and reports exhibited in the affidavit in support of this originating summons."

5. The terms of the orders and judgment in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/636/2016 referred to were further affirmed in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1556/2017 delivered on 9th February 2018 wherein the Court ordered that the parties are bound by the decision of this Court in Suit No: FHC/L/CS/636/2016 delivered by Buba J. on the 24th day of June, 2016.

6. The two orders granted by the Federal High Court, Abeokuta, in Suit No. FHC/AB/CS/114/2018, were made in a judgment enforcement proceedings. The first was in relation to the National Convention held between October 5 and 6, 2018. The second order was for INEC to accept, process and publish our list of candidates for the 2019 general election. Clearly, the request to set aside the orders of the Federal High Court, Abeokuta, has been overtaken by events. The National Convention has come and gone. INEC has also complied with the orders of court and the subsisting judgments. So, how does the decision setting aside the orders of the Federal High Court affect us?

7. It should be noted that INEC, as a law-abiding institution, has since communicated its decision to recognize and deal ONLY with the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun State PDP Exco to the national leadership of our party. (See INEC letters dated 12th of April, 2018 and 25th of October, 2018)

8. In the 25th of October, 2018 letter written by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), it was emphatically stated that its decision to accept the list of candidates submitted by the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led Exco was predicated on three court suits, namely FHC/L/CS/636/2016, FHC/L/CS/1556/2017 and FHC/AB/CS/114/2018. It is only the interlocutory orders in FHC/AB/CS/114/2018 that were set aside. The full and final judgments in FHC/L/CS/636/2016 and FHC/L/CS/1556/2017 in favour of the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun State PDP Exco which are yet to be set aside and do not have any subsisting appeals against them still remain. It should also be pointed out that based on the judgments in FHC/L/CS/636/2016 and FHC/L/CS/1556/2017 in favour of the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun State PDP Exco, INEC had in an earlier letter dated 12th April, 2018, informed the PDP of the commission's compliance with the two judgments of the Federal High Court.

9. It is our firm belief that the existing judgment and reliefs granted specifically in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/636/2016 (in the judgment of the Honourable Justice I.N. Buba) fortifies the provisions of the Peoples Democratic Party Constitution 2017 (as amended) on the importance of the State Chairman as a Chairman of the Party’s State Congress and functions of the State Congress presided over by the State Chairman which inter alia includes to elect gubernatorial candidates in general election. In this case, Engr. Adebayo Dayo is the State Chairman as affirmed by the subsequent judgments. For ease of reference Section 25(1) of the Peoples Democratic Party Constitution 2017 (as amended) states clearly as follows:

“There shall be a State Party Congress which shall consist of:

The State Chairman who shall be the Chairman.

Section 25(2C) states further thus:

“The function of the State Congress shall be to:

(c) Elect Governorship candidates of the Party.”

10. Therefore the argument of the PDP that it is the exclusive affair of the National Working Committee or National Executive Committee, in light of the subsisting judgments and provisions of the Peoples Democratic Party Constitution is untenable.

11. So, the purported dissolution of the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led State Exco (in spite of the subsisting judgments of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal) that allegedly paved the way for the “coronation” of the dissident group led by Adebutu and Ogundele as the “Ogun State PDP Exco” does not exist and cannot stand since you cannot put something on nothing and expect it to stand.

12. We have already exercised our rights of appeal against the judgment of the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court and we are hopeful that this injustice will not stand.


13. I wish to urge all members of our party, leaders and elders as well as our teeming supporters not to be dismayed. Our candidature is intact and on course. Nothing has changed. Let us continue the grassroots mobilization that we have been doing in the party. At the appropriate time, the Almighty Allah Subhana wataAllah, who is the most powerful and the ultimate decider of the fate of all mortals would intervene and ensure that justice prevails over injustice; truth triumphs over lies and good over evil.


Senator Buruji Kashamu
Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District and Ogun State PDP Governorship Candidate

19.12.2018

COURT OF APPEAL DIDN'T DECLARE ADEBUTU AS OGUN PDP GOVERNOR SHIP CANDIDATE

We have received the news of the judgment of the Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital that set aside the orders of the Federal High Court, Abeokuta.

We wish to clarify that contrary to the false news being spread by our opponents, the Court of Appeal did not declare Honourable Oladipupo Adebutu or anyone for that matter as the Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State. That was not the prayers of PDP who are the appellants in the matter and so such a prayer could not have been granted.

The Court specifically held that it was not a pre-election matter where the nomination of candidates is in issue since the matter was filed by the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun State PDP and not aspirants.

Having held that it was not a pre-election matter, the Court of Appeal could not have made a pronouncement on the validity or otherwise of the nomination of candidates for the 2019 general election.

What is more, the 25th of October, 2018 letter written by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) emphatically stated that its decision to accept the list of candidates submitted by the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led Exco was predicated on three court suits, namely FHC/L/CS/636/2016, FHC/L/CS/1556/2017 and FHC/AB/CS/114/2018. It is only the interlocutory orders in FHC/AB/CS/114/2018 that were set aside.

The full and final judgments in FHC/L/CS/636/2016 and FHC/L/CS/1556/2017 in favour of the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun State PDP Exco which are yet to be set aside and do not have any subsisting appeals against them still remain.

It should also be pointed out that based on the judgments in FHC/L/CS/636/2016 and FHC/L/CS/1556/2017 in favour of the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun State PDP Exco, INEC had in an earlier letter dated 12th April, 2018, informed the PDP of the commission's compliance with the two judgments of the Federal High Court.

The extant judgment of the Court of Appeal in this appeal does not finally determine the matter. That is why it ordered that the case file should be returned to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for reassignment of the case to another judge who will hear and determine the originating summons.

Flowing from the above, we wish to reassure our teeming supporters, party leaders and elders, friends and associates that nothing has changed. The nomination of Senator Buruji Kashamu and all other candidates of the Ogun State PDP based on the valid and subsisting judgments mentioned above has not changed.


Finally, our lawyers have taken steps to immediately appeal the judgment of the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court.

Signed
Austin Oniyokor
For: Kashamu/Abati Campaign Organisation
18.12.2018

2019: Kashamu promises to take Ogun to greater heights

Senator Buruji Kashamu, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in Ogun State, has promised to take the state to greater heights if elected governor in the 2019 governorship election.

He made this promise on Monday at the unveiling of him and Dr Reuben Abati as the governorship and deputy governorship of the party in Ijebu Igbo.

At the event, which was witnessed by a mammoth crowd from every part of Ogun State and beyond, Kashamu said “My desire to serve Ogun State as governor is to take our dear state to greater heights.”

Speaking about his antecedents, the PDP governorship candidate said, “I am a grassroots politician, a proud Ijebu man and a good citizen of Ogun State who is loved by his people.

“In 2015, when I contested to represent the good people of Ogun East Senatorial District, I promised selfless representation. That is what I have given. And there is no better proof than the over 90 projects that we have attracted to various parts of Ogun East Senatorial District. No one has recorded the same feat in our Senatorial District.

“As you are aware, I have also touched many lives and communities outside Ogun East and Ogun State through the Omoilu Foundation.”

According to him, having done so much as an individual and having transformed many lives and communities as a federal legislator, being a governor would provide him a better platform to impact more lives and transform the whole state in an unprecedented manner.

As he put it, “This aspiration affords me yet another opportunity to continue to touch lives in diverse ways and on a bigger plane.

“Since government is a continuum, I believe we would continue from where the current government stops, and together, we would take our dear Ogun State to greater heights.”

He also promised to run a people-oriented government if elected.

While talking about the crisis in PDP in Ogun State, Kashamu said, “This is your sure ticket for taking Ogun State to greater heights. The Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun State Exco is the authentic and legally recognized PDP structure in the state. The people have spoken; the courts have affirmed it and INEC has complied. Truly, the party is supreme. But, it is not superior to the judiciary. Party supremacy is not a licence for executive lawlessness. People cannot continue to act in contempt of the teeming members, leaders and elders of the party and the courts – all in the name of ‘party supremacy’. At some point, like in saner climes, the judiciary must intervene and rein in those acting in utter disregard of our party’s constitution and the laws of the land. That is what has happened in our case.

“The national leadership of our party supervised and approved the congresses that produced the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led state exco in 2016.

“There have been several court judgments that affirmed the validity of the state exco under the leadership of Engr. Adebayo Dayo.

“In the build up to the 2019 general election, congresses were conducted by the Dayo-led state exco in line with Section 25 (1) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) which states that, ‘There shall be a state party congress which shall consist of: (a) The State Chairman who shall be the Chairman. Section 25 (2c) states further, ‘The functions of the state congress shall be to: (c) elect governorship candidates of the party.’

“That is all we have done. So, if anyone decides to go and collect a flag in an office in Abuja, it does not bother us. They say they are the candidates of the party. We say we are the candidates of the people and the rule of law. As the governorship candidate of the PDP in Ogun State, I extend my hands of fellowship to all and sundry. I am ready and able.”

Earlier, the deputy governorship candidate, Dr Reuben Abati, presented the party’s Policy Manual for Taking Ogun State to Greater Heights to the people.

Abati spoke about the planned interventions in various sectors which would result in the wholesome transformation of the state.

Present at the event were party leaders from across the country, businessmen, traders, artisans, trade union representatives as well as students.

KASHAMU TO AGF, POLICE: HOLD SECONDUS RESPONSIBLE FOR BREACH OF PEACE IN OGUN

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State and Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Senator Buruji Kashamu has said that the National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus should be held responsible “for breach of public peace and safety should there be a breakdown of law and order in Ogun State” in the build up to the 2019 general election.

He urged the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris and the Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), Mr. Yusuf Magaji Bichi, to take cognizance of Secondus’ conduct which, according to him, is capable of causing tension and a breach of public peace.

Kashamu spoke in a statement he issued at the weekend following the presentation of the Ogun State PDP governorship flag to a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, in Abuja, on Friday.

He said the AGF, IGP and DG, SSS should refuse the temptation to allow “some misguided politicians” to take the laws into their hands and continue to act contemptuously of valid and subsisting court orders and judgments while hiding under the cloak of politics and politicking. There is no gainsaying the fact that such illegal acts could cause unmitigated disorder and a breach of public peace.

The lawmaker noted that he would soon furnish the offices of the AGF, IGP and SSS with all the relevant documents, detailing the criminal and contemptuous acts of these retrogressive elements.

Kashamu said, “The desperation showed by Secondus is only typical of a mercenary who is hell-bent on delivering on the job he has been paid to do. His latest action was done in utter disregard to the Party’s Constitution and subsisting judgment of courts – from the High Court to the Supreme Court – which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has since complied with.

“It is a sad commentary on our democratic institutions that the National Chairman of our Party, Prince Uche Secondus, could preside over such a disgraceful exercise because he could not do it at the South-West zonal rally held on Thursday seeing the trouble such an illegal act could have caused. The shame is on Secondus and his co-travellers because they had to run to Abuja where they purportedly presented the Party’s flag to the impostor in an office whereas such an event is usually done openly and with fanfare.

“What is more, even if PDP presents 10,000 flags to Adebutu, it does not change the fact that the courts have pronounced the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun State PDP Exco as the only party structure recognized by the law in Ogun State. It is merely ceremonial. It does not change the lists of candidates accepted, processed and published by INEC. It cannot change the verdicts of the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. It cannot also change the wide acceptance of our aspiration by the good people of Ogun State and beyond.”

Kashamu commended the notable leaders and elders of PDP who have always upheld the Rule of Law and democratic ethos even in the face of unjustified provocation.

Breaking: Supreme Court throws out PDP/Ladi Adebutu's application seeking to stay Federal High Court judgment in favour of the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun State PDP Exco...says application is incompetent. Details soon

Ogun PDP crisis: Court of Appeal strikes out motion for stay of execution of orders in favour of Dayo-led Exco

* Awards cost against PDP

The Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital today (Monday) struck out the motion for stay of execution of the orders given in favour of the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun State Executive.

This followed the withdrawal of the appellants' newly filed motion for stay of execution, among others.

The court also awarded a N20,000 cost against the appellants - the PDP, it's National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus and Senator Umar Ibrahim Tsauri.

Represented by Mr. Emeka Etiaba, the appellants withdrew all their previously filed applications which included motions for stay of execution, abridgment of time and amendment of appeal following which the Court struck out the said applications having been withdrawn.

In his response, the counsel to Engr. Adebayo Dayo, Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN) asked for a N500,000 cost since he had filed response and joined issues on the applications.

He also told the court that the matter had been adjourned thrice within the last one month at the instance of the appellants. However, Etiaba made an offer of N20,000 which the court agreed with and consequently awarded in favour of the 1st - 9th Respondents (i.e. Engr. Adebayo Dayo and others).

Etiaba informed the court of the mutual agreement of counsel for both parties in respect of the newly filed motion for abridgment of time for filing of briefs and the court granted the application on the agreed terms.

Following the mutual consent of parties' counsel, the court gave the appellants one day from today (Monday) to file their brief of argument, 14 days for the 1st - 9th respondents to file their brief from the date of service and one day for the appellants to file a reply brief.

In their amended and newly filed Notice of Appeal, the appellants' are asking the court for an order setting aside the orders of the lower court and reassignment of the suit at the Federal High Court, Abeokuta.

A date for hearing of the appeal will be communicated to parties upon the conclusion of exchange of briefs.

It would be recalled that the pro-Ladi Adebutu national leadership of the PDP filed an appeal against the orders of the Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, which directed the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to "accept, process and publish" only the list of candidates that emerged from congresses/primaries endorsed by Dayo-led Exco.

The appeal number CA/IB/2018 PDP & 2Ors. Vs Chief (Engr.) Adebayo Dayo & 9Ors. is an appeal against a judgment enforcement proceedings. The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos had on the 24th of June, 2016, delivered a judgment in favour of the Dayo-led Exco as the ONLY Ogun State PDP structure that is known to law. The judgment is yet to set aside and is no pending appeal against it.

The three-man panel of judges of the Court of Appeal included the Hon. Justice H.S. Tsammani, JCA, (Presiding), Hon. Justice N. Okoronkwo, JCA, and Hon. Justice F.A. Ojo, JCA.

Ogun PDP crisis: Supreme Court adjourns suit till Dec. 5

*Strikes out Ali Modu Sheriff's name

Efforts by the pro-Honourable Oladipupo Adebutu Uche Secondus-led National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to move the Supreme Court to expeditiously hear the appeal on the lingering legal tussle in the leadership of the Ogun State Chapter of the Party on Wednesday suffered a setback following the adjournment of the suit by the apex court.

The PDP under Secondus had filed an appeal against the decision of Justice Ibrahim Buba, which endorsed the Adebayo Dayo -led Executive Committee as the authentic leadership of the party in Ogun State.

In a bid to get the decision of Justice Buba reversed, the PDP had filed an appeal at the apex court praying for an order to restore the dismissed appeal and grant a stay of execution of the judgment which formed the basis of the recognition being accorded the Dayo-led exco by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as it relates to the 2019 general election.

The grouse of the party was that since the leadership of the Ali Modu Sheriff as National Chairman of PDP had been nullified by the apex court, the Ogun State exco of the party ought to have gone down with that of Sheriff.

However, the Dayo-led Ogun State PDP Exco is of the view that neither the issue of its Exco nor the judgment affirming it was before the Supreme Court.

The Secondus group is also praying the Supreme Court to bar INEC from according recognition to the Dayo-led executive on the grounds that it had been legally dissolved by the then Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Working Committee.

But, the Dayo-led Exco is contending that it cannot be dissolved by the national leadership of the party without setting aside the judgment in its favour.

However, when the matter came up yesterday, Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour refused to hear the PDP appeal on the grounds that Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, who was one of the respondents in the matter, was not served with the hearing notice.

In the desperate bid to save the situation, counsel to the Secondus group, Chief Emeka Etiaba SAN, withdrew the name of Ali Modu Sheriff in the matter but that did not stop the Supreme Court from adjourning the matter.

Although Justice Rhodes-Vivour struck out Sheriff’s name as a respondent in the suit, he nonetheless adjourned hearing in the appeal till December 5.

Legal luminary, Dr Alex Izinyon SAN, stood for Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun PDP Exco in the matter at yesterday’s proceedings.

The Dayo-led Exco that is currently recognized by INEC for participation in the 2019 general election had claimed that the Ogun State Chapter of the PDP was intact because the purported dissolution of the chapter was done in violation of a subsisting judgment of Justice Buba.

The Dayo-led Exco maintained that the dissolution was unlawful, illegal and a contempt of a lawful order and as such cannot stand in the eyes of the law.

Justice Buba delivered a final judgment in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/636/2016 on the 24th of June, 2016.

The party appealed the judgment but the appeal was dismissed by the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal on the 7th of May, 2017. A further attempt to relist the dismissed appeal was struck out by the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal on the 11th of July, 2018.

While the Dayo-led Exco is supported by the lawmaker representing Ogun East Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator Buruji Kashamu, the other group is being spearheaded by the member representing Remo Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu.

Ogun 2019: Adebutu suffers another setback as Appeal Court adjourns suit, strikes out application for time extension



The Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan on Monday adjourned the suit filed by the pro- Oladipupo Adebutu national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun State PDP structure till November 20, 2018 after striking out the motion for extension of time within which to appeal which he filed on the grounds of mixed law and facts.

The court struck out the application for time extension based on the objection of the lead counsel to the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun State PDP Executives, Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN), who argued that the ruling sought to be appealed against was not attached to the Motion on Notice.

It would be recalled that a Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital had weeks back ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Uche Secondus-led National leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to accept and process the list of candidates and delegates submitted to them by the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun State Executive Committee of the PDP for the purpose of the 2019 general election.

The court had given the order while ruling on a motion for interlocutory injunction after listening to arguments canvassed by the counsel to the Ogun State PDP Executive, Mr. Ricky Tarfa (SAN), who noted that the court had on September 28, 2018 ordered that the defendants should be put on notice and adjourned till October 2, 2018, for definite hearing of the motion for interlocutory injunction.

The Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital had penultimate week reiterated its order directing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to accept and process only the list of delegates and candidates submitted by the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun State Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in respect of the 2018 National Convention of the party and the 2019 general election.

The Dayo-led Exco is backed by the lawmaker representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Senator Buruji Kashamu.

The court gave the order while ruling on an application seeking to set aside the orders made by the court on October 2, 2018 compelling all the defendants, including INEC and PDP to accept and recognise the Adebayo Dayo- led Exco of the PDP.



The court in its judgment had dismissed the application seeking to set aside the order of October 2, 2018 and proceeded to reaffirm the orders.



The court further stated that it did not give any order stopping the National Convention of the PDP but only directed the party to accord recognition to the list of delegates attached as Schedule A to the motion for interlocutory injunction.



The present suit before the court of Appeal is to overturn the order of the Federal High Court mandating the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to accept and process only the list of delegates and candidates submitted by the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun State Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in respect of the 2018 National Convention of the party and the 2019 general election.

Based on PDP's appeal to the Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan, the Federal High Court, Abeokuta granted a stay of the proceedings before it and adjourned the matter till December 13, 2018, pending the outcome of the appeal against its interlocutory orders/injunctions.

Adebutu's lawyer, Yemi Oke cries out




20 POINTS ON INEC LETTER TO PDP ON LIST OF CANDIDATES; MY STORY- YEMI OKE
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(1) My attention has been drawn to the latest message and documents sent from the Senator Kashamu group on the subject.
(2) This Court Judgement of Buba J. is two and half years old.
(3) Our man was warned several times that no matter how, even if "frafulently" procured, a judgment is valid and must be set aside.
(4) Two years ago, we fought openly at Lawyers meeting in Abeokuta because I said we'll spend 10m each on Southwest and Ogun State PDP matters on which Buba gave those questionable judgements.
(5) Till date, PDP has not paid us any money as Counsel in those matters and appeal.
(6) I had filed Notice of Appeal same day, based on self persuasion, against the two Judgemnts of Buba J.
(7) Our man had assured he will do the needful at a meeting at Sheraton in Abuja and Adamawa Plaza hotel, before the then Publicity Secretary and Legal Adviser to PDP National Caretaker Committee (Prince Adeyeye and Barr Kabiru Usman)
( The duo, who I personally introduced to Hon Adebutu in the heat of the crisis and PH Convention and cases arrising therefrom, had made it clear we must do all to set aside those judgements.
(9) I made it clear Kashamu will use it against us at the late hours.
(10) We fought publicly at the Lawyer's meeting elsewhere becauset he felt I was asking for too much.
(11) Later, I reported to Apostle Salako last year. We both went to Akure with case files to review with Dr. Eddy Olafeso (Southwest Chair).
(12) We concluded it was serious enough and should call Baba Ijebu (Ladi's dad) to support since Ladi did not think it was that serious.
(13) Baba Ijebu gave Apostle Salako and Dr. Eddy Olafeso an appointment for the following Wednesday at 12noon.
(14) Dr. Eddy Olafeso had arrived on Lagos for the meeting. Hon. Adebutu was to follow them (Apostle Salako and Dr. Eddy Olafeso).
(15) He (Hon Adebutu) objected to meeting his Dad over the matter.
(16) He said "Daniel" became Governor and no one knew his Dad or Mum; "Tinubu" became Governor no one) harrassed his Dad or Mum.
(17Dr. Eddy Olafeso, being a decent man of honour simply backed-down to avoid insult.
(18) Eventually, we were able to sort our the Southwest Exco angles in: DR. OLAFESO V MAKANJUOLA OGUNDIPE; and PDP v MAKANJUOLA OGUNDIPE ,
(19) We won both at the Court of Appeal in Ado-Ekiti, leaving only Ogun State Judgement having reversed that of National Exco at the Supreme Court.
(20) We're now at the Supreme Court this dye minutes and our man showing the same mindset of the last two and half years.

It is well.
--- Yemi Oke
Cc- Apostle Salako, Dr. Eddy Olafeso; Barr Kabiru Usman, Barr Kwon (from NLA); Barr Emmanuel NLA)

*KASHAMU: THE EFFICACY OF LAW & ORDER HAS MANIFESTED IN THE OGUN PDP VS PDP NATIONAL MATTER AT INEC.*

To almighty God be the glory of all human achievements, for nothing can happen without His consent. We therefore thank God for the successful recognition of the Bayo Dayo Ogun PDP exco by INEC and the PDP National as we're one family for participation in the forthcoming 2019 elections.

In clear obedience to subsisting court judgements. INEC in a letter addressed to the National Chairman of the PDP, dated 25th October 2018 but delivered 30th October 2018 (copy attached); it was clearly stated that the commission has recognised only the candidates list from the lawful primaries conducted by the Bayo Dayo PDP Ogun exco. Consequently, our candidates list has been accepted, processed and certified for the forthcoming elections.

I reiterate my earlier call on our respectable elders, leaders and teeming supporters to in earnest embark on massive mobilisation and reconciliation for successful outing at the polls. There indeed should be a "No victor, No vanquished" disposition amongst ourselves. We shall all reap from the electoral fortune that would be ours at the 2019 elections.

Sen Buruji Kashamu.

BREAKING NEWS!!!

PDP, INEC & KASHAMU:
THE RULE OF LAW TRIUMPHED

The anxiety over the list of Ogun PDP candidates to be accepted by INEC for the 2019 elections has been put to rest. The rule of law has triumphed as the list of candidates that emerged from the lawful primaries conducted by the Sen Kashamu backed Bayo Dayo exco, authorised by subsisting high court judgements has been accepted by both INEC and the PDP National with gladdening response of obedience to rule of law. Acting on valid court order, the court bailiff submitted the list to both INEC and the PDP National for mandatory acceptance. Our lawyers - Rickey Tafa & Co also forwarded same to both INEC and the PDP National Chairman. as required by law. To crown the process with political diligence, the Ogun PDP state Secretary - Chief Semiu Shodipo personally delivered the list of candidates with accompanying details of primary election results to both INEC and the PDP National.

While INEC has accepted the Bayo Dayo exco candidates list and signified readiness to process and use the list for the 2019 elections in obedience to court order, the PDP National Chairman has interestingly, also aligned the party to the path of conformity with the rule of law. This is highly impressive and indeed a commendable development in our democracy as civilised nation guided by law and established due process. Kindly find the receipt acknowledgements by INEC and the PDP National Organising Secretary of all the aforementioned correspondences.

We give the glory of this victory of the law and democratic due process over lawlessness and impunity to the almighty God and the commendable perseverance of our esteemed leaders and vast followers. Hearty congratulations to all our elders, leaders, party members and teeming supporters.

This has foreclosed any further posturing of alternate Ogun PDP candidates list for the 2019 elections. What's reasonably left is the resolution of issues to exploit the substitution window enabled by the INEC guidelines for our party to have the deserving victory at the forthcoming elections. Consequently, deliberate moves and concerted efforts shall be deployed in the next 24 hrs forthwith to mend fences and close ranks as a united political family. All our leaders and political stakeholders are hereby appealed to in party's interest to create enabling environment for accommodation and reconciliation. Walls of restrictions based on political groupings should give way for a united platform in our diversity. There is indeed *"no victor and no vanquished"* in this battle of legitimately democratic exercise of rights to aspirations as just witnessed in the Ogun PDP.

God will do well for us at the forthcoming elections.
Long live Ogun PDP!
Long live PDP!!
Long live Nigeria!!!

Very sincerely,
Senator Buruji Kashamu.

BREAKING NEWS!!!

*PDP, INEC & KASHAMU:*
*THE RULE OF LAW TRIUMPHED*

The anxiety over the list of Ogun PDP candidates to be accepted by INEC for the 2019 elections has been put to rest. The rule of law has triumphed as the list of candidates that emerged from the lawful primaries conducted by the Sen Kashamu backed Bayo Dayo exco, authorised by subsisting high court judgements has been accepted by both INEC and the PDP National with gladdening response of obedience to rule of law. Acting on valid court order, the court bailiff submitted the list to both INEC and the PDP National for mandatory acceptance. Our lawyers - Rickey Tafa & Co also forwarded same to both INEC and the PDP National Chairman. as required by law. To crown the process with political diligence, the Ogun PDP state Secretary - Chief Semiu Shodipo personally delivered the list of candidates with accompanying details of primary election results to both INEC and the PDP National.

While INEC has accepted the Bayo Dayo exco candidates list and signified readiness to process and use the list for the 2019 elections in obedience to court order, the PDP National Chairman has interestingly, also aligned the party to the path of conformity with the rule of law. This is highly impressive and indeed a commendable development in our democracy as civilised nation guided by law and established due process. Kindly find the receipt acknowledgements by INEC and the PDP National Organising Secretary of all the aforementioned correspondences.

We give the glory of this victory of the law and democratic due process over lawlessness and impunity to the almighty God and the commendable perseverance of our esteemed leaders and vast followers. Hearty congratulations to all our elders, leaders, party members and teeming supporters.

This has foreclosed any further posturing of alternate Ogun PDP candidates list for the 2019 elections. What's reasonably left is the resolution of issues to exploit the substitution window enabled by the INEC guidelines for our party to have the deserving victory at the forthcoming elections. Consequently, deliberate moves and concerted efforts shall be deployed in the next 24 hrs forthwith to mend fences and close ranks as a united political family. All our leaders and political stakeholders are hereby appealed to in party's interest to create enabling environment for accommodation and reconciliation. Walls of restrictions based on political groupings should give way for a united platform in our diversity. There is indeed *"no victor and no vanquished"* in this battle of legitimately democratic exercise of rights to aspirations as just witnessed in the Ogun PDP.

God will do well for us at the forthcoming elections.
Long life Ogun PDP.!
Long life PDP!!
Long life Nigeria!!!

Very sincerely,
Senator Buruji Kashamu.

Ogun State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) on Sunday conducted two separate primaries and elected two different candidates for the 2019 governorship election in the state.
The Sikirulai Ogundele – led group conducted their primary at the Marque, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library(OOPL), Abeokuta, with Hon. Ladi Adebutu emerging winner – sole candidate, garnering 2,369 votes out of the 2,669 accredited delegates.


Capt. Mike Williams Hart (Primary Committee Chairman), Ms Barbara Aloma(Secretary), Emmanuel Ekpe (member), Anthony Agbetuyi (member) and Bukola Oyinkasola (member) from the National body, Abuja, conducted the primary that led to the emergence of Adebutu as a parallel candidate.


Another group loyal to Senator Buruji Kashamu and where Engr. Bayo Dayo is the state executive chairman, had theirs at the PDP State Secretariat on IBB Boulevard, Oke – Mosan, Abeokuta with officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said to have been on ground to observe the exercise.


At the end of the exercise with 1,994 accredited delegates, 1979 of them voted for Adeleke Shittu from Ijebu – Igbo, in Ijebu North Local Government Area of the state, to emerge the gubernatorial candidate of the Bayo Dayo group, after Fatai Adeyanju had stepped down for him.


Speaking with reporters, Bayo Dayo maintained that theirs is the authentic primary conducted by the executive Committee deriving its authority from a valid court order since 2016.


Meanwhile, Confusion and apprehension suffused the air of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, and other parts of the state over the planned governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), prompting five of the governorship aspirants – Senator Gbenga Kaka (Ogun East), Otunba Bimbo Ashiru(Ogun East), Prince Dapo Abiodun(Ogun East), Jimi Lawal(Ogun East) and Abayomi Hunye (Ogun West), to raise alarm on breach of security and breakdown of law and order in the state.


The signed petition which was signed by the five aspirants and copies of which were sent to the Commissioner of Police, Director of State Security Service(DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC), the army and other sister security agencies in the state, the petitioners cited Hon. Semiu Akintade of Olorunda ward in Abeokuta North who they claimed has been kidnapped.


They accused the state Chairman of one of the transport unions in Ogun State, of being behind the alleged security breach, stressing that even some security agents have been given lists their supporters for arrest on trump up allegations ostensibly to keep them out of circulation during the electioneering process.


Six persons – Abdulkabir Adekunle Akinlade(Ogun West), Senator Gbenga Kaka (Ogun East), Otunba Bimbo Ashiru(Ogun East), Prince Dapo Abiodun(Ogun East), Jimi Lawal(Ogun East) and Abayomi Hunye (Ogun West), are in a keen battle for the APC governorship ticket in a primary that has been shifted till further notice.


The petition reads: “We, the undersigned gubernatorial aspirants on the platform of All Progressives in Ogun State are constrained to write the petition on the unprofessional activities of some security personnel, who were actively engaged and poised to continue with their nefarious activities of intimidation, harassment, kidnapping and threat to life, such as the kidnapping of Hon. Semiu Akintunde in Olorunda Ward, Abeokuta North Local Government.


“It is noteworthy, that some security personnel have been given a list of our supporters to be arrested and detained on trump up charges so as to remove them from circulation during the electioneering process.


“In the circumstance, we hereby humbly request for timely intervention and immediate remedial action to prevent breakdown of Law and Order and safeguard the electoral process rescheduled for tomorrow, October 1, 2018.”

http://thenationonlineng.net/governorship-adebutu-shittu-emerge-separate-candidates-for-ogun-pdp/

OSUN ELECTION: LESSONS FOR OGUN PDP

By Danny Kwangogo

Recent happenings in Osun State as they relate to the September 22 governorship election are all too familiar to begin a recap here. It is most likely that by the time this piece is published, the election would have been won and lost. Indeed, some have wagered that it had been won and lost since the first ballot last Saturday. They do not see the rerun in the seven polling units changing the outcome of the election.

 But, whichever way it goes; there are useful lessons to be learnt from the handling of the intra-party crises by the political leaders on both sides of the divide. Recall that it was the fallout of the primary election for the Osun West senatorial ticket that forced Senator Ademola Adeleke out of the APC. However, the focus of this piece is the handling of internal crises within the Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) vis-à-vis the Ogun State chapter of the party. Perhaps, the party would not have been in the tight situation it found itself had the leaders better managed its internal crisis. It is a no-brainer that disagreements over the control of the party structure and how the national leadership of the party handled same that forced the Senator Iyiola Omisore group out of the PDP.

Worse still, even when the first ballot ended in a near stalemate and a rerun scheduled, one would have expected the national leadership of the party to seize the moment and provide the much-needed leadership. But, no, the Uche Secondus-led NWC was nowhere near Osun State. Rather, it was the Senate President and Chairman of the PDP Governorship Campaign Council, Dr. Bukola Saraki that took the initiative to engage Omisore, whereas on the other hand, the National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole led about five governors, a minister and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives to negotiate with Omisore. Are you then surprised at the outcome?

Whilst some may contend or even pretend that the control of the party structure should not be in the hands of an individual, others may canvass a collegiate system. Yet, this is Nigeria and Africa, where structures are built around individuals and not institutions. That is the sad reality, no matter the pretensions. Some may argue that if that were the case, do we have to continue on that trajectory? Yes and no. Yes, if you do not want to be the one on whose head the proverbial coconut would be broken…as such a person would not partake in the eating of the coconut. No, because history is replete with examples of former members of an establishment that brought positive changes to their environments and societies by rising up against long-held traditions, practices and customs. Whichever one you choose has its attendant consequences. Have you counted the cost? Are you ready to pay the price?

But, that is not the focus of this piece. Rather, it has to do with how not to manage internal political crises or disagreements. Many analysts have reasoned that if Senator Omisore had not left the PDP, whoever was the governorship candidate of the party would have won with a wide margin when compared to the 254,345 votes of the All Progressives Congress (APC). They simply added the 254,698 votes that the PDP garnered at the first ballot on the 22nd of September, 2018, to Senator Iyiola Omisore’s 128,049 votes. Recall that Omisore who ran as the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) was until May this year a chieftain of the PDP. Again, the pundits may be right and they may be wrong on the addition and subtraction of votes to either side. It could be further contended that had they not fallen apart, there may not be a serious push to prove a point.

The other dimension to this line of arguments is Omisore’s decision to pitch his tent with the APC in the rerun election. It is convenient to criticize Senator Omisore and call him all manner of names over his decision. We may even find it difficult to understand how he came to the decision to work with those who constantly accused him of having a hand in the death of the “Cicero of Esa-Oke”. We may want to further ask: what exactly was he offered? Was it not the same government that arrested and charged him to court over the 2014 governorship election campaign funds in Osun State? Where is the place of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in all of these? Who would implement the decisions reached at the meetings? What would happen if either party reneges on the agreements reached? Questions, questions and more questions!

But whichever side of the divide you belong and however you look at it, the point is: the situation within the Osun State chapter of the PDP would not have come to this sorry pass had the national leadership of the party shown some level of leadership and circumspection. A situation where the national leadership of the PDP allows itself to be fed with some tissues of lies and/or permits some narrow and parochial interests and considerations to becloud its sense of judgments, thereby calling the bluff of tested and experienced politicians does more harm than good to the party. The result is what we have seen in Osun State where the PDP was literally put on a cliffhanger.

The same scenario is playing out in Ogun State where a serving senator who is the highest political office holder on the platform of the PDP is being victimized to satisfy a tiny clique. Naturally, the one at the receiving end will fight back; if not now, certainly later. How do you explain the expulsion of a consummate mobiliser and grassroots politician like Senator Buruji Kashamu months to the general election without due process? Can the party rightly expel its members without complying with its own Constitution? What offence could anyone have committed to warrant such a drastic action? Is it not said that two wrongs do not make a right? Has the national leadership of the party engaged the contending groups in dialogue and negotiation in an atmosphere of give-and-take? Why has the Secondus-led NWC decided to go for broke over the Ogun State PDP issue? Is it not more of ego than any sublime considerations? Does the PDP really want to stage a come-back in 2019?  It is more so when the Kashamu group is said to have court judgments even up to the appellate court recognizing it as well as the concurrence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

One does not need a soothsayer to know that if something fast is not done to engage and resolve the issues between the two main contending groups within the Ogun State chapter of the PDP (as represented by the Senator Kashamu group and Hon. Ladi Adebutu group), it is most likely that the scenario that played out between the Osun State chapter of the PDP, which led to the splitting of votes with the SDP, will play out at the 2019 general election in Ogun State. Like Omisore, Kashamu has a strong support base in his Ogun East Senatorial District where the younger Adebutu represents three out of the nine local government areas that make up the Senatorial District. Someone persons might say the situations and personalities are not the same. Even if that were to be correct, should we wait for history to repeat itself just because we refuse to learn from the past or other people’s experiences?

·         Kwangogo is an Abuja-based political analyst.

Kashamu mourns Ijebu Igbo Chief Imam


The lawmaker representing Ogun East Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator Buruji Kashamu has condoled with the family and people of his hometown, Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State over the death of the Chief Iman of Ijebu Igbo, the late Alhaji Aliyu Baoku.


Alhaji Baoku passed on to the great beyond in the early hours of today (Thursday)


In a statement released moments after the news broke, Kashamu described the late Chief Iman as a pious religious leader and peace-maker who worked for the good of the people and community.


The statement read in part, “As a spiritual leader that I knew and related with personally, the late Chief Imam was pious and selfless. He used his deep knowledge and understanding of Islam to promote joy, peace and love. Through his sermons, he drew attention to the will of the Almighty Allah and enjoined us to live right and endeavour to do good at all times. 


"He was a bridge builder and peace-maker who stood for unity among Muslims and a champion of unity, equity and justice among the diverse people of Ijebu Igbo and its immediate neighbours. It is my prayer that the Almighty Allah will overlook his errors and grants him Al-Jannah Firdaus."


Kashamu prayed God to comfort members of the survivors of the late Chief Imam, especially members of his immediate family, the Muslims and the entire Ijebu Igbo community.

KASHAMU: MY PURPORTED EXPULSION CANNOT STAND

·         I strongly remain with my people in PDP

My attention has been drawn to the purported decision taken by the National Executive Committee (NEC) allegedly expelling me and the other chieftains of the Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the party.

It is clear from the ill-advised decision that the Prince Uche Secondus-led National Working Committee is lawless and undemocratic. No due process was followed as enshrined in the constitution of the party. Since the initial 30-day suspension lapsed on the 9th of January, 2018, they do not have any right to take any disciplinary action against me. This decision cannot stand because Article 57 (6) of the PDP Constitution says “Any decision taken against a member who has not been informed of the charges against him or has not been given any opportunity of defending himself shall be null and void”.

Besides, there are no less than to two suits challenging my initial suspension. The first is Suit No. FHC/L/ABJ/CS/1254/2017 between Senator Buruji Kashamu Vs. PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, the National Secretary and INEC before the Honourable Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja. PDP should not forget that it also instituted a case against me and other leaders of the party in the South West at the High Court of the Federal Territory in Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/0303/2017 as per the Honourable Justice Valentine Ashi in which the court made an order nullifying and setting aside my purported suspension on the 9th of January, 2018. The court also ordered parties, including PDP “to maintain status quo”. There are also counter-claims in the said suit at the FCT High Court praying the court for “an order restraining the plaintiffs (PDP) by themselves, their agents, servants and privies from taking any disciplinary action against the 1st – 4thdefendants (with me and the authentic Ogun State PDP Chairman, Engr. Adebayo Dayo as the 1st and 4th defendants) on account of any actions and/or conduct or steps taken by them individually and jointly to make the plaintiff abide by its constitution and observe democratic principles in all its dealings with the 1st – 4th defendants.”

Despite all these, if such an irrational decision was allegedly taken, the expulsion cannot stand. It does not have anything to do with me or any of my associates. It is instructive that the Federal High Court as per the Honourable Justice I.N. Buba on the 24th June, 2016, granted an order which the PDP from impeding the functions of the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun State PDP Exco “until the four years tenure to which they have been elected is spent” (i.e. the State Exco is to remain in office until 2020). Therefore, the purported expulsion cannot stand in the face of the Rule of Law. It is null and void. I and my associates are fully in the PDP whether anybody likes it or not. We will continue to operate with the law as PDP members, senator and exco.

Finally, I urge all Nigerians to watch out for the full story and history of Secondus and what transpired between him and the Adebutus on how they sold an empty shell of the Ogun State PDP structure to the Adebutus.

Signed

Senator Buruji Kashamu

Ogun East Senatorial District

23/07/2018

C. N Okoligwe wrote:

https://www.nairaland.com/4515787/shame-nigerias-agf-advises-u




ADVOCACY FOR RULE OF LAW, EQUITY & JUSTICE
SHAME! NIGERIA'S AGF ADVISES U. S. ON HOW TO EXTRADITE NIGERIAN CITIZEN SENATOR KASHAMU
It is true that most human rights activists and organisations have been bogged down by existential challenges, especially as most of the key actors in the human rights community have either become players in our present day democratic space or faced with the harsh condition of daily living.
But, for those of us who see human rights activism and the fight for equity and justice as a calling, we cannot abandon our first love. Even at the risk of losing my life, I cannot condone injustice being done to a fellow human being.
I do not know the man they call Senator Burunji Kashamu. But, when I had the opportunity to read an article about his philanthropic activities, politics and how his opponents have been using his past challenges to taunt and haunt him, I was first moved to tears. Then, I felt a sense of guilt. I felt a sense of guilt because I had stumbled on some documents that could have helped his case but I was nonchalant. The document, which formed the basis of the report that The Punch newspaper published recently, has been in my possession since 2016. I do not have access to the senator and do not wish to. However, I owe it a public duty and a duty to my conscience to release these documents to the public so they could share in my astonishment. If anybody sees it on the internet and decides to draw his attention to it, so be it. The documents show how our own Attorney-General of Federation (AGF) is inviting and practically begging a foreign government to request for the extradition of a Nigerian citizen! And wait for it, a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria! If this could happen to a senator, what hope does the common man have? This was the basis of the report that the Federal Government has requested the U.S. to send a fresh request for the senator’s extradition since the one that was filed earlier had been dismissed by the court. Stripped of all legalese, how right is it for the Attorney-General of a sovereign state like Nigeria to advise, seek or suggest how to take away her own citizen? This is the question begging for answer…See the documents below (They include a letter authorized by the AGF and addressed to the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria and an internal memo in which the AGF directed his officers to write a letter to the U.S Embassy). Nigeria, we hail thee…Our own dear native land…Help us to build a nation where no man is oppressed…
C.N. OKOLIGWE
National Coordinator

No sovereign country volunteers to sacrifice it's citizen for whatever reason ONLY in Nigeria. it's not right or unpatriotic for the AGF to do so